Luther Magazine Winter 2021

Luther MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

CONNECTING

during COVID

Campus flexes to make the Luther experience possible 14 Alumni innovate in classrooms across the country 18

Luther magazine Volume 54, number 2, Winter 2021 © Luther College 2021 Editor Kate Frentzel Art director/designer Michael Bartels Contributors Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82 Nick Bjerke Erin Dintaman ’23 Sue (Franzen) Drilling ’78 Kirk Johnson ’82 Ellen Modersohn Judy Riha Luther College Photo Bureau Luther magazine feedback, inquiries, and ideas may be sent to the Editor, Luther Magazine, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 521011045; magazine@luther.edu; phone (563) 387-1483. Class Notes submissions, changes of address, and alumni news may be sent to the Alumni Office, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045; alumni@luther.edu; (800) 225-8664; (800) 2 ALUMNI. Find us online at luther.edu/ magazine.

6

Campus during COVID

With a lot of care and planning, the Luther community continues to connect on campus during the pandemic.

Contents 10

Departments

This year’s Homecoming was like no other—entirely virtual—but we still had a lot to celebrate.

2 President’s letter

Homecoming

12

An ode to teachers

Luther alumni in classrooms across the country are innovating to support young learners during COVID-19.

3 Campus news 17 Alumni

23 Class Notes 31 Marriages 31 Births/Adoptions 32 In Memoriam

Calendar back cover

22

After the storm

When the derecho hit Iowa, alumni pitched in.

Cover: Luther sophomores Catherine Wedin (left) and Michelle Armenta (right) enjoy the first snow of the season. Photo by Nick Greseth ’23.

Nicholas Shaneyfelt, assistant professor of music, follows COVID-19 protocols in working with voice student Mikaela Hanrahan ’21. PHOTO BY NICK BJERKE.

NEVER BEFORE, LUTHER COLLEGE, HAS OUR MISSION BEEN MORE NECESSARY: FOR OUR OWN GROWTH, FOR EACH OTHER AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND FOR THE WORLD WE SHARE.”

Enduring THREADS to continue to engage with this

of racism threaten to overshadow

place, this learning, and this

the hopefulness with which we

community.

President Jenifer K. Ward As I write this on January 10, 2021, I am conscious of the fact that

should welcome a new year and

The themes of adaptabil-

the distribution of new vaccines

ity, stewardship, and connec-

to aid in ending the pandemic.

tion continue to be interwoven

For now, we must hold both

throughout this issue of our

distress and hope together in our

magazine because these are

heads and hearts at the same time.

enduring threads in the fabric of

Our mission statement reminds

Luther College.

us that, as a liberal arts college,

But future readers may miss the historic events that were

Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves us beyond

the Luther magazine is archived.

taking place as the publication

immediate interests and present

Years from now, Luther alumni

was in the final stages of prepa-

knowledge into a larger world—an

and others will read the stories

ration, namely that something

education that disciplines minds

in these pages about fostering

we in this country have come to

and develops whole persons

connection during the COVID-19

take for granted—the historic

equipped to understand and

pandemic, alumni educators who

continuity of peaceful transfers

confront a changing society.

connect with students despite

of power from one presidential

Never before, Luther College,

barriers made necessary by the

administration to another—was

has our mission been more neces-

continued transmission of infec-

disrupted. We are still in the early

sary: for our own growth, for each

tion, an alumna broadcast jour-

days of investigation, deter-

other and future generations, and

nalist who connects viewers with

mining how history will chron-

for the world we share.

news during a historical year, an

icle this week, and how we will

Soli Deo Gloria,

alumnus who connects patients

have come to terms with what

to their healthcare teams through

we witnessed this week. At this

storytelling, and how the Luther

moment, the layered distresses

campus has adapted and changed

of pandemic fatigue, political

this fall in order to allow students

polarization, and the persistence

WINTER 2021

2

Jenifer K. Ward

Hopefully this pandemic will be a wake-up call to the world to see that in fact by being better prepared, we can take off the table these horrendous illnesses.” —Mike Osterholm ’75

FA R W E L L L E C T U R E World-renowned epidemiologist and Luther Board of Regents member Mike Osterholm ’75 gave this year’s Farwell Distinguished Lecture, “The COVID-19 Pandemic: Stories of a Journey.” He spoke about where we have been, where we are now, and where we’ll likely be in the next few years regarding COVID-19. He also appealled directly to students in Luther’s new global health major, saying, “It’s going to be for you to help us address these issues.” A link to the talk is available at luther.edu/events under the event listing for October 15, 2020.

NEW REGENTS Last fall, we welcomed three new members to Luther’s Board of Regents.

Willie

Vanessa (Grima

Mark V. Larson ’78

Davismckennie ’84

Baldacchino)

is a gastroenterology

NEW VP

is an active

Frazier ’90 is

consultant and member

Andrew Bailey ’08 has

volunteer and

the permanent

of the executive commit-

been named Luther’s vice

owner/founder of

representative of

tee of the Division of

president for finance and

22 Wood Works, a

Malta to the United

Gastroenterology and

administration.

custom woodwork-

Nations, the first

Hepatology in Mayo

ing business in

woman to assume

Clinic’s Department of

Mundelein, Ill.

this title.

Internal Medicine in Rochester, Minn.

LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

STEPS TOWARD RACIAL EQUITY Last fall, Luther joined an alliance of more than 50

skills and knowledge in faculty, staff, and administra-

colleges that hope to advance a commitment and

tive leadership; build partnership across campuses

attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion

among communities of color; and collect and

on their campuses. The Liberal Arts

analyze data related to past and current

Colleges Racial Equity Leadership

institutional practices that have

Alliance offers member schools

created disparate impact among

resources like eConvenings,

communities of color.

rubrics, videos, readings, and

In a September email, Presi-

case studies, and it’s develop-

dent Ward wrote, “By pursuing

ing a pair of workplace climate

this initiative together and lever-

surveys for member institutions

aging the power of the consor-

to gauge how different groups of

tial approach, the ACM colleges

employees experience their workplace.

will develop infrastructure, access resources and expertise, and coordi-

This new alliance complements Luther’s work with the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) to launch a collaborative anti-rac-

nate collective efforts that can have a much greater and more positive impact on our communities than Luther College could achieve working alone.”

ism initiative, which aims to help develop anti-racism

O N E T E A M D AY

2,000+ DONORS

Luther’s first annual One Team Day, a one-day fundraising event to support our 19 intercollegiate teams and 500 student-athletes, raised over $300,000 from more than 2,000 donors. Stephen Sporer, vice president for development, says, “By working together, the coaches, staff, and students shared the Norse story, but the results illustrate the real story: our alumni—both athletes and non-athletes—and our regents, families, students, faculty, staff, and community members truly exemplified what it means to be ‘One Team.’”

NEW BOOKS

Joe Breitenstein, professor of psychology, coedited As The Twig Is Bent, a memoir of influential conservationist Wallace Byron Grange. Kate Elliott, associate professor of art history, published Framing First Contact: From Catlin to Russell, which explores images depicting first meetings of European explorers and Native Americans. Jim Martin-Schramm, professor of religion, copublished the fifth edition of Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach. WINTER 2021

4

On top of the art world Vaughan Schmidt ’20 wins the Superbowl of art. In September, one Luther student

“Finding Pandora X, as an expe-

had the honor some people wait

rience,” Schmidt says, “was quite

a lifetime to achieve: inclusion—

similar in many ways to tradi-

and a “best of” award—at one of

tional theatre. You have actors in

the world’s premier art events.

costumes, different sets we tran-

The Venice Biennale is like the

sitioned through, and lighting

Superbowl of the art world—to

and audio cues run by a hidden

participate as a college student is

tech team. However, the actors

exceptionally rare. But Vaughan

could be any form of creature they

Schmidt ’20, an art major and

wished to portray, the sets were

visual communication minor,

entire worlds you would traverse,

became interested in virtual

and the lighting could come

reality (VR) development in 2018,

from anywhere. Many limitations

and had been developing tuto-

found in real life theatre simply

rials about programming for the

don’t exist when you’re able to

VRChat platform.

create the theatre itself.”

Double-Eye Studios took

The experience Schmidt and

notice and asked Schmidt to work

his team delivered won Best VR

as a consultant and eventually

Immersive User Experience at

lead programmer on their VR

the 2020 festival—an accolade

project, Finding Pandora X, for

that will serve Schmidt well as he

the Venice Film Festival compo-

plans to pursue VR development

nent of the Biennale.

after he graduates this winter.

LUTHER

5

MAGAZINE

Being

COMMUNITY I N A PA N D E M I C

by Kate Frentzel

Luther’s a special place, but it’s not beyond the reach of COVID-19. Campus looked a lot different this fall, but we hope you’ll recognize some constants as we worked to keep people safe: care for this community and eagerness to engage with the Luther experience and one another.

Welcoming students

Preparing campus

Last spring, Luther developed a bold and thoughtful

Working tirelessly to prepare campus for students,

plan to allow students to learn in person last fall. The

facilities staff:

modular approach included a monthlong September

•

Term and two fall quarters (Oct. 1–Nov. 20 and Nov. 30–Jan. 28) so that we could be flexible and responsive

barriers (many custom-designed) •

in light of changing COVID conditions. As COVID cases soared in Iowa and across the

Serviced air handlers and added higher levels of filtration

•

country in November, we took advantage of the modular approach and enacted a “circuit breaker” for the

Installed nearly 1,600 square feet of plexiglass

Added logic to the building automation system to allow for maximum outdoor air ventilation

•

Equipped campus buildings with sanitizer

first half of Fall Quarter 2, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22.

stations and deployed campus-wide safety

During this time, all classes were online, and students

signage

could live at home or on campus; 70 percent chose to live on campus.

WINTER 2021

6

•

Continuously clean high-touch surfaces multiple times a day

The facilities staff has really put their best foot forward in dealing with the coronavirus. Learning new procedures, adapting to new requirements, and getting ready for students requires a mindset that we can do this.” —Jay Uthoff, director of facilities services

All student-athletes, whether competing in the fall or not, monitor themselves daily for COVID symptoms, get a temperature check before practices, and wear masks (when possible) during practices and competition. They also help sanitize equipment after use.

+

+

Learning together

Bonding as a team

The pandemic required us to rethink traditional class-

Our athletics program has taken great care in order

rooms. Facilities staff and the Registrar’s Office iden-

to continue to give students the experience of bond-

tified spaces on campus that accommodated proper

ing, practicing, and competing with teammates. While

physical distancing, and then de-densified the spaces

competition in some sports was postponed, this fall

by removing furniture. Most classrooms, Uthoff says,

the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) went ahead

are currently at 48 percent of original capacity, but

with schedules in golf, tennis, cross country, and

some areas are as low as 15 percent.

swimming and diving.

Many faculty moved their classes outdoors while

While the circumstances haven’t been easy on

weather allowed. Some were especially intrepid, like

anyone, Yarrow Pasche, director of women’s track

associate professor of Nordic studies Maren Johnson,

and field and cross country, finds a silver lining. With

who held her Intermediate Norwegian course outside

competitions so precarious, she says, “Each one is

in 36 degrees in October. Courses were relocated to the

approached with a new level of intensity, allowing

Sports and Recreation Center, Storre Theatre, Shirley

us to embrace it in a way completely unique to this

Baker Commons, the Center for Faith and Life, and

season.”

other spaces. LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

Innovating in music Like athletics, music keeps Luther feeling alive, inspired, and connected, and so many people worked to innovate in ways that allowed our music program to continue to feed our students’ hearts and minds. Andi Beckendorf ’93, professor of library and information sciences and double bass instructor, and Mark Potvin ’01, assistant professor of music, spearheaded a group that planned how to engage in music at Luther this fall. One major challenge was finding spaces for all the ensembles to practice in a physically distanced way. Scheduling rehearsals to accommodate everyone safely became an art form. Some conductors, like Potvin, who directs the first-year tenor/bass ensemble Norskkor, got creative. When he saw city workers draining the municipal pool adjacent to campus, he had a eureka moment. Soon, with the enthusiastic support of the Decorah Park and Rec, his 40-some singers were practicing in the emptied pool. It was fun for us to see this story receive media attention from Orlando to Boston to Salt Lake City. Along with unconventional rehearsal spaces, student-musicians also adapted to new protective equipment, like singing with masks or using socks or bell covers for wind instruments. And because individual instruction can be risky in small spaces, students studying voice and wind instruments worked with instructors remotely.

Inviting future Norse The pandemic didn’t stop us from engaging with future Norse, but it did put some kinks in the process. Our admissions counselors haven’t been traveling to high schools, college fairs have been virtual, and we’ve only been giving individual, not group, tours of campus. We’ve shifted a lot more focus to engaging with students online, allowing us to offer program-specific virtual events to students all over the world. But since 40 percent of students who visit campus end up enrolling, we expect to feel some repercussions from this unusual year. Derek Hartl, vice president for enrollment management, says, “The pandemic has certainly exacerbated the challenges facing all small, private liberal arts institutions in the next five years.”

WINTER 2021

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Worshipping in new ways Covid has reconfigured the way we practice and celebrate faith at Luther. Last fall, chapel was 100 percent virtual. Happily, this allowed many faculty and emeriti to participate in services when they might not have been able to otherwise, and allowed for a broad range of alumni guest speakers. Kathryn Thompson, Luther’s collaborative minis-

As individuals, we’re dealing with struggles familiar to people the world over: burnout, frustration, loneliness, helplessness. But as a community, we’re persevering. We’re so grateful to our students for being collab-

tries seminarian, says, “While there have been many

orators in this—and the larger community is taking

changes in worship life at Luther, it’s as present as it’s

notice. Decorah mayor Lorraine (Carter) Borowski

always been, but more diverse and more accessible

’70 says, “In the fall, I knew the Luther students were

than it’s ever been.”

back when I saw groups of them downtown . . . and

Celebrating traditions

they were ALL wearing masks.” It matters to all of us that students have the

A couple of Luther hallmarks looked really differ-

opportunity to experience Luther as fully as possi-

ent this year. Homecoming was entirely virtual, and

ble, so we all work hard to keep that on the table.

so was Christmas at Luther 2020: For Everyone Born.

And we help each other out. As Potvin says, “Living

In a typical year, we sell 7,000 tickets to the event.

in community means doing more than just your

This year, more than 20,000 of you from 44 countries

part—it means inviting others to do the same.”

viewed the free-of-charge first-ever streaming-only Christmas at Luther. We sold 1,147 watch-from-home

Learn more about how we’re facing the pandemic together at luther.edu/being-community.

gift boxes for the premiere and raised more than $28,000 for the Luther Fund.

LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

Homecoming

Homecoming 2020 was like no other—entirely online. We missed seeing you in person but were lucky to celebrate with many of you at the virtual events we hosted. And, coronavirus or not, we were still able to honor a few of our many incredible alumni, like those below. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

of the Friends of Fitchburg Library,

moments in history. After ordina-

and she has served All Saints

tion, he worked at the Lutheran

Lutheran Church and Midvale

World Federation in New York City

Ted Tweed ’55

Community Lutheran Church in

and has since served congrega-

A longtime

Madison. She also volunteers for

tions from Brazil to the Nether-

audiologist,

MOSES, a grassroots interfaith

lands to Moscow, where he

Ted has trained

organization working for criminal

was able to

hundreds of

justice reform and racial justice.

offer nearly

clinicians and developed a

2,000 refugees Mark Donhowe ’70

program to

food and

Mark has

shelter when

screen farmers at high risk of

volunteered

they fled civil

hearing loss from exposure to

widely in the

war in Somalia.

noisy farm machinery. He leads the

Decorah area,

Following these callings, John

monthly Wellness Workshop for

including at

served in Jerusalem and Andorra.

his local Lions Club and was a

the Decorah

founder of many Waunakee, Wis.,

Lutheran

Kristin (Skogland) Tjornehoj ’80

organizations including Peace

Church, the Ulster Project, the

Kristin shows

Lutheran Church, the 10-mile

Lions Club, and Northeast Iowa

dedication and

Waunafest Run, the First Brigade

Helping Services. He volunteered

service to the

Band, the Blessed Brass, and the

in development roles for the

musical arts

Waunakee Community Band.

Vesterheim and the Trout Run Trail

through

and sat on numerous education-re-

serving on

Karen Julesberg ’60

lated boards, including serving 25

boards and

Karen’s long

years on the Northeast Iowa

committees throughout the greater

history of

Community College Foundation

St. Croix Valley, Wis., area

volunteering

Board. He and his wife, Vicki

including ArtReach St. Croix,

includes

(Mohlis) Donhowe ’70, are former

Hudson Hospital Foundation,

currently

class agents. In retirement, Mark

Phipps Center for the Arts, St.

serving as coor-

volunteers at the Decorah Commu-

Croix Valley Foundation, and the

dinator for the

nity Food Pantry.

Zephyr Theatre. At Luther, she is a

Madison-Area Urban Ministry

class agent and has taught at

Program and teaching at the Dane

John Melin ’70

Dorian Music Camps and as an

County Jail in Madison, Wis.,

John, a pastor, has spent his life

adjunct faculty member for music

where she lives. A Luther class

serving people and congregations

education/student teaching.

agent, she was a founding member

around the world during pivotal

WINTER 2021

10

Cassandra Warner ’85 Cassie has

MUSIC AWARDS

served

Weston H. Noble Award

nonprofits in

Eric Melear ’95 has overseen the musical activities of both the Houston

board and

Grand Opera and Wolf Trap Opera and, as a pianist and conductor, has

leadership

worked with singers and companies around the world. He currently serves

positions,

on the music staff of the Vienna State Opera.

including at Resources for Child Caring, Corner-

Carlo A. Sperati Award

stone, and the Gillette Children’s

Dan Mollick ’00 has illustrated energy, positivity, and a student-centered

Hospital. For more than a decade,

teaching philosophy throughout his more than 20 years as a music educator.

she has been significantly involved

He has taught in public school districts throughout Minnesota and currently

in the American Civil Liberties

teaches orchestra at Valley View Middle School in Edina.

Union of Minnesota, where she currently serves as member of the

Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award

board of directors and as treasurer.

Zach Mayer ’21, a music education major from La Crosse, Wis., is princi-

She is also a regular volunteer for

pal double bass for both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. He has

Habitat for Humanity, the Humane

worked as a section coach for the La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestra

Society, and Feed my Starving

and has taught at the Luther College Community Music School.

Children. Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize Brian Juchems ’95

for Orchestral Performance Brian is known

Belle Searcy ’21, a music major from Buffalo, Minn., spent a year as princi-

for his activism

pal second violin in the Luther College Symphony Orchestra and is currently

on behalf of the

serving in her second year as concertmaster. Before coming to Luther, she

LGBTQ+

played in several youth orchestras in Minnesota.

community at Luther and

Fred Nyline Distinguished Award in Music

beyond. In

Nate Anderson ’21, a music major from Duluth, Minn., is the inaugural

Madison, Wis., where he lives, he

recipient of this award, established by Jaime (Rowe) ’00 and Matthew Titus

has held several leadership

’01 in honor of Fred Nyline, professor emeritus of music, who conducted

positions at the Gay Straight

at Luther for 38 years. The award recognizes a junior or senior member of

Alliance for Safe Schools (GSAFE).

Concert Band whose character, leadership, and participation in the music

He was instrumental in passing the

program demonstrate a strong contribution to the program in a way that

state’s first district-level transgen-

embraces the spirit and mission of Luther College. Nate plans to attend

der-inclusive nondiscrimination

graduate school for saxophone performance and pedagogy.

policy and in developing and piloting GSAFE’s Gender Inclusive Schools Project. At Luther, Brian is

ATHLETICS AWARDS

a class agent, a member of the

Roger Jaeger received the Luther College Athletics Meritorious Service

Reunion Giving Committee, and a

Award. Inductees into Luther’s Athletic Hall of Fame included: Rich-

regular speaker on issues of equity

ard Leake, head coach of men’s and women’s tennis; Jim Helgason ’70,

and inclusion.

football, baseball, and basketball; Jacki Wright ’75, softball, basketball, and field hockey, assistant coach of women’s basketball and softball, head

Distinguished Service Award (DSA) nominations may be made at luther.edu/alumni/services/awards.

coach of women’s field hockey; Peter Lawrence ’90, swimming; Andrea VonBrinton ’95, track and field, volleyball; John Jaeger ’05, football, baseball; Ryan LeBeau ’05, wrestling; Natalie (Retrum) Wyse ’05, cross country, track and field. LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

Welcoming students AGAIN AND AGAIN,

I N N E W W AY S A L L T H E T I M E

by Kate Frentzel

Efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 have radically reshaped how schools and classrooms operate, and this reshaping has hit teachers hard. Some have seen their workloads double as they prepare lessons for both in-person and remote learners. Others face obstacles in connecting with students under these new circumstances. We checked in with several Luther grads working in education to see how things are going. Fellow teachers will recognize their struggles—and their dashes of hope—and non-teachers will find new empathy and respect for these intrepid, compassionate, adaptable shapers of young potential. Responses have been edited for

What has helped you navigate

length and clarity; for more from

this time?

these teachers, visit luther.edu/

Being more gracious with myself.

magazine.

It can be frustrating when Zoom doesn’t work, or a well-thoughtout lesson doesn’t go as planned. However, my mantra this year is focusing on what I can control. I

EMILY ANDERSON ’20

can control how I show up for my

Language arts and literacy teacher

kids. I can control the content I

at Central Middle School in White

provide knowing that I am doing

Bear Lake, Minn.

KELLI GAPINSKI ’17

my best for each student on my

How is your workload different

Special education teacher at Clear

roster.

from a typical year?

Lake (Iowa) Middle School

Implementing a hybrid model

What challenges have you faced

is no small undertaking. While

during COVID?

teaching my in-person classes,

In my classroom setting, masks

I instruct a group of full-time

have been challenging. So much

distant learners simultaneously.

of my students’ learning comes

It requires a large amount of time,

from seeing my facial expressions

energy, and digital competency to

and my mouth as I form words

pull off. I work an average of two

and letter sounds. It’s also challenging when I speak, because the mask muffles the sound and some of my students already have difficulty hearing. WINTER 2021

12

to three hours each night outside During the pandemic, Gapinski worked with a team to deliver a large touchscreen whiteboard to one of her students who uses it to see and manipulate content.

of the regular school day and anywhere from five to ten hours on the weekends.

Becky McCammon ’98 Do you think COVID will

Restorative practices program coordinator, St. Paul, Minn., public schools

permantly affect how we teach

McCammon, who taught in the classroom for 14 years, now helps imple-

and learn in the future?

ment a cultural shift in the St. Paul public schools by introducing restorative

I’m sure that our education

practices. She describes them as a contemporary rendering of indigenous

system will change as a result of

practices in which people gather in a circle and use a talking piece; some of

this year. Already, navigating so

us might recognize this as circle practice.

many different learning models

More broadly, she says, restorative practice is the belief that we learn

has pushed teachers to revamp

most profoundly through relationships and that we’re most accountable to

old lesson plans, be innovative,

healthy relationships. The program came about in St. Paul because the local

and embrace new ideas in ways

educators’ union bargained for it, originally as a way to healthily address

they maybe didn’t before.

times when people are in pain or might be looking for language to express their needs. “It turns out that suspensions and expulsion and punishing language doesn›t serve us to become dynamic learners or to feel good in school and in ourselves,” she says.

LUIGI ENRIQUEZ ’17 Associate director of choirs at Iowa City (Iowa) West High School What has helped you navigate this time? Human connection and social

Becky McCammon ’98 (in the black cardigan) with fellow restorative community members at the East Side Freedom Library in St. Paul, Minn.

capital—this idea that we have each other’s back during the toughest challenges, that we can lean on each other when the going

McCammon—who published an educator’s guide, Restorative Practices

gets tough, that we can still be in

at School, this year and won the 2020 Education Minnesota Human Rights

community and learn and laugh

Award—started in her role four years ago, rolling the program out to an

with each other. Those have been

initial six schools. In year two, there were nine. In year three, 12. Now, there

the most valuable things for me.

are 25 or 26. “Yes, my job keeps getting bigger,” she laughs.

JOHANNA BEAUPRE ’18

ingly, it involves a lot of adults in circle practice exploring, for instance, the

English language (EL), history, and

language they use to talk about student learning, or their relationships with

English teacher at Osseo (Minn.)

discipline, power, or race. As some schools have introduced circle practice

Senior High School

to their students, they’ve also trained students to be circle keepers.

The work looks slightly different at different schools, and interest-

Has the pandemic underscored

During the pandemic, St. Paul schools are mostly distance learning,

equity or access issues in your

which means that circle practice is virtual. But McCammon points out that

district?

this allows people to regulate their comfort differently, which often means

This pandemic has brought to

that people show up feeling ready and willing to share.

light many equity issues in the

Eventually, as a school builds its restorative practices, McCammon says,

classroom. Most teachers I work

it can tackle more challenging ideas and curriculum: “Through healthy rela-

with have been aware of these

tionships, we can take on more rigorous work. Because with an educator

disparities for years, but now the

who I feel believes me, anything is possible.”

general public is seeing them more clearly. It has been both LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

best using various instructional frustrating and hopeful to watch

strategies such as multisensory

our country realize all the social

approaches and engaging with

supports that schools provide our

the material hands-on. Providing

communities, from food secu-

meaningful learning opportuni-

rity to mental health resources.

ties for my students with multi-

While I’m glad that more people

modal approaches has been a

are seeing the value in public

great challenge.

schools, this has also come

JESS (JEWELL) TANGEN ’08

Another area of difficulty has

with a lot of animosity toward

Physical and health education

been in teaching social skills. This

the school system for not being

teacher at St. Benedict School in

is much harder to do virtually.

able to provide a typical year.

Decorah, Iowa

However, my students are learn-

Being called a hero in March and

How is your workload different

ing digital citizenship and Google

then lazy and selfish in August

from a typical year?

Meet norms while still working on

(for being concerned about our

This year I’ve had to change

conversational, turn-taking, and

students’ and our own safety) has

activities up so that students can

self-advocacy skills.

taken a toll on many teachers.

be spaced out. I’ve had to think about equipment use and cleaning equipment more often. We’ve tried to stay outside as long as possible so kids can take mask breaks! I’ve also tried to make sure my health lessons are written up and available on Google Class-

Johanna Beaupre ’18 (center) says, “The best part of teaching is the relationships we build with students. I noticed a major difference in my happiness level when we were back in person this fall and could finally have that real human connection.”

room for middle school students

ERIK MANDSAGER ’20

in case any have to be out on quar-

English teacher at Jordan High

antine. If they’re able, I want them

School in Sandy, Utah

to follow along at home while on a

Do you think COVID will perma-

Google Meet and stay involved as

nently affect how we teach and

much as possible. It has definitely

learn in the future?

taken longer to prepare for each

I predict online schooling will

day.

always be an option and teachers will be expected to put everything online now. This is not necessarily a negative thing though. When all

What has helped you navigate

students have an online option,

this time?

students can keep their fami-

My EL team has implemented

lies safe, arrange their schooling

the use of an app called Talking-

around their work schedule, and

Points to communicate with

take care of family members. I

families. It allows teachers and

LINDSEY AHLERS ’18

just hope that in-person school-

families to send text messages

Special education teacher at Fern-

ing doesn’t become a luxury like

back and forth that automatically

brook Elementary in Maple Grove,

higher education largely is. Every

get translated into each other’s

Minn.

young person should have the

preferred language. It also allows

What challenges have you faced

right to make friends and learn

us to connect with more families

during COVID?

skills in person regardless of

since not every family has access

As a special education teacher,

their socioeconomic class and the

to email.

the majority of my students learn

health of their family.

WINTER 2021

14

Morgan King ’19 English teacher at Peachtree Ridge High

When the pandemic hit last spring, it forced

School in Suwanee, Ga.

King and fellow educators to consider what

King knew all her life that she wanted to

education really means. “It was such a

be a teacher, but she struggled with which

moment of pure humility for us, that what

subject to teach. “I wasn’t confident as an

we do every day is really important, but it’s

English student,” she says, “but something

not about how much content we spew at our

about the English classroom got me intrigued.

students—it’s about whether we are allowing them to

When I got to Luther, the opportunity to explore and

feel safe and comfortable in the world that they’re in

push the limits of that curiosity made me so excited

right now,” she says.

to do that in my classroom.”

King started turning her students

Now, as a high school English

toward more reflective work, like

teacher in Georgia’s biggest school

keeping a journal or interviewing a

district, she takes a broad approach

family member about facing adver-

to literature, asking her students to

sity—things to help them process

apply critical thinking and analytical

current realities and also forge

skills to podcasts, films, music, and

stronger connections outside of the

current events. For two semesters,

classroom. “I couldn’t create a lesson

she taught Netflix’s When They See

better than what life is giving us,” she

Us, a drama series that revolves

says.

around the Central Park Five. “I

And that’s really at the center of

paired it with The Crucible to talk

King’s teaching philosophy—engaging

about the start of our justice system and whether or

fully in life and learning. “I want my students to realize

not we’ve made any headway,” she says. “I went back

that literature is everything around us all of the time. I

into the New York Times archives and printed out all

want them to realize that they’re doing this analytical

the original news articles, and we talked about how

work, this critical thinking when they open up Insta-

language changed in a matter of days—about charged

gram or watch that new Netflix series,” she says. “I

language and how racism is built into media repre-

want them to be lifelong learners—to go out and see

sentation.”

the world and ask questions about it.”

KERRY (KRAMER) JOHNSON ’83 Retired from teaching at North Winneshiek School and in the Decorah School District, Iowa; assists two children with online learning

Though retired from the traditional classroom, Kerry (Kramer) Johnson ’83 assists a five-year-old and a ten-year-old with online learning two mornings a week.

What feels good about being

LAURA FULLER RUSSELLA ’10

able to teach in this way?

English teacher at Middleton

I love being able to help a family

(Wis.) High School

who isn’t comfortable having their

How is your workload different

children attend school in person. I

from a typical year?

wasn’t comfortable subbing in the

Everything I used to be able to do

school this year, partly due to my

on the fly is suddenly an unfamil-

age, as well as keeping my contact

iar multistep process. I don’t think

with others at a minimum. So I

that’s unique to teachers—a lot of

enjoy being able to teach, but not

people are working remotely—and

in the school setting.

I don’t think it’s necessarily bad

LUTHER

15

MAGAZINE

that we’re rethinking a lot of what

on their teachers in a much more

because students are somehow

we’ve been doing. We’re collabo-

human way than they do teach-

not struggling. I’m worried about

rating more, redesigning curricu-

ers in other subjects. We see their

kids suffering in silence, feeling

lum, refocusing our lessons and

writing and work with them on

isolated and not knowing they have

assessments—that’s good, import-

communicating, we read stories of

a boisterous but very caring English

ant work! But it’s essentially like

people struggling, and it just sort

teacher who would be honored to

every teacher is brand-new to the

of happens that English teachers

walk with them through whatever

job.

hold steady a basin of students’

sticky situation they’re in.

painful experiences, their fraught

Nothing is going perfectly in my

What challenges have you faced

relationships, their tenderest new

classes, but it’s clear that welcom-

during COVID?

ideas.

ing kids—again and again, in new

It’s often an invisible part of high school English that students rely

That basin isn’t so full this year, and I don’t believe it’s

ways all the time—is my most important work this year.

Lauren (Keller) Mortimer ’20 Math teacher at Holly Hill Elementary in Enterprise, Ala. A month and a half into the school year, Mortimer knew she had to change things up. Except for a 15-minute snack and a 45-minute PE, her sixth-graders spend all day in the same room, even eating lunch there, unable to collaborate or do much group work because of physical distancing precautions. They were antsy and disengaged. So in spite of the fact that she was a first-year teacher who was still getting to know the curriculum, she decided to try gamification, turning lessons into game-based learning. It was a method she’d seen as a student teacher in Stewartville, Minn. At first it seemed chaotic, but, she says, “The more I saw it unfold, the more I saw exactly what the teachers did with it and how they were pre-teaching and re-teaching and working with individual students. In a class of 48, every single kid was super excited to be learning, and every one of them was working toward a goal they wanted to achieve—it was incredible.” In her own classroom, Mortimer surveys kids about their interests, then builds a game in Google Slides. Students choose characters that link to exercises or problem sets, and they usually fight a bad guy by completing a challenge at the end. It takes a lot of time to put together, but once Mortimer rolls it out to her students, their learning becomes self-paced and self-directed, which makes her more available to students having trouble. The feedback from students has been super positive. Mortimer says, “I had one little girl whose dad pulled up the first Mortimer used Among Us, an online multiplayer social deduction game, as inspiration for one of her gamified lessons.

day for [physically distanced] meet-the-teacher in their car. She asked what I taught, and I said, ‘I teach math.’ Every part of her just slumped. Now that little girl is writing I LOVE MATH in her notebook.”

Life

IN 1,000 WORDS

Through storytelling, Seth Jovaag ’98 creates a connection that improves patient care. When people imagine getting care

in 2015. Not having many mili-

at a VA hospital, they don’t think

tary connections himself, at first

But

of getting a biography written. But

he was skeptical about getting

catharsis

that’s the gift that Seth Jovaag ’98

involved. Reading a few sample

is a fringe benefit of the project;

and others give patients through

stories changed his mind.

its true intent is to help health-

the My Life, My Story program.

Jovaag was blown away by

care workers better understand

The gift is more than just a mean-

their depth and profundity.

and connect with their patients,

ingful written account—it also

“People tell you very different

and thus provide better care. This

goes in the patient’s medical file,

things in this situation,” he says.

isn’t just wishful thinking—many

and evidence suggests this can

“They’re in a vulnerable place in

studies correlate doctors’ empa-

lead to better care.

their life—they’re in a hospital

thy levels with improved patient

room. And probably in a reflective

outcomes. In one, just looking at a

My Story is this: A writer knocks

The basic protocol for My Life,

place too—they’re sick or some-

photograph of a patient alongside

on a patient’s door, introduces

thing.

imaging results led to radiologists

themself and the program, and asks if the patient wants to talk about their life for an hour. Afterward, the writer creates a first-person, 1,000-word story that gets at the heart of what the patient shared. That story is read back to the patient, and a copy is put into their medical file. My Life, My Story was the brainchild of Elliot Lee, a medical

Some of them really grasp onto this idea— this is my chance to talk to somebody and have them write my life down, and I want to tell them what matters most to me.”

resident on rotation at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans

performing a more thorough reading of the scans. At the Madison VA, where Jovaag works, 85 percent of clinicians agree that reading the stories is a good use of clinical time. Nursing teams read one at the beginning of their monthly meetings to recenter them on their mission. So do administrative staff. Presurgery teams read about a patient they’ll be treat-

The first six times Jovaag read

ing in order to ease his or her

Hospital in Madison, Wis. Local

a story back to a patient, they

nerves when they arrive. One

poet Thor Ringler got the proj-

cried, which isn’t uncommon.

retiring psychiatrist referred all

ect off the ground in 2013. After

“People often talk about really

his patients to the program so

seeing its booth at an oral history

meaningful things and tell us

that their new doctors would get

conference, Jovaag, a journalist

things they never told anybody,

a sense of their new patients and

for Wisconsin Public Radio and

including their families,” he says.

other outlets, joined the team

“These are not all war stories.”

(continued on page 19) LUTHER

17

MAGAZINE

T H E FA I T H T O H A V E

big dreams Constant exploration lands Fabrice Musoni ’09 in development roles that help others.

“It’s okay if your path isn’t linear,” says Fabrice Musoni ’09.

Department to try to bring about

of foreign aid and development.

actions to end mass atrocities,” he

Now, two years later, Musoni

says. “I’m from Rwanda, so that

works for UNICEF’s Learning

was close to my heart. I had my

Passport program, a partnership

“In hindsight, my previous

activist hat on, and this organiza-

between UNICEF, Microsoft, and

experiences helped me get where

tion gave me the platform to try to

the University of Cambridge that

I am today”—helping children

do something about it.”

allows refugee children or those

in 18 countries access education

In 2013, Musoni got the

displaced by conflict or disaster to

while they’re not able to gather in

chance to work for the World

access learning spaces—digital or

person.

Bank—a dream of his since

otherwise. As the education inno-

Rather than linear, Musoni’s

Luther—as a consultant on frag-

vations specialist on the pilot proj-

path has been exploratory. He

ile states. He took a huge gamble

ect, Musoni deployed the program

entered Luther thinking he’d study

to work there, trading a 401K

in two countries—Bangladesh and

pre-med, but discovered he loved

and health insurance for a 21-day

Kenya—before the pandemic hit.

learning about different cultures

contract. Eventually the 21-day

Since COVID’s reshaped the way

and world history and participat-

contract became 40 days, then 60

students learn across the world,

ing in Luther’s Ethnic Arts Festival.

days, and soon Musoni had strung

the project’s taken on whole new

With a newfound interest in inter-

together a 13-month career at his

levels of relevance and import.

national relations, he switched

dream job. And then he reevalu-

majors to communication studies

ated and took another leap.

The original idea, says Musoni, was an approach that blended

and political science and earned a

“I was reinventing myself,” he

traditional classrooms with digital

master of science degree in foreign

says. “I always want to explore and

learning—physical teaching spaces

service from Georgetown Univer-

learn new things. That’s always

with teachers who used technol-

sity.

been at the core of what I do.” He

ogy in their lessons. The plan was

After Georgetown, Musoni

relocated to Senegal to work for a

that the team would go on the

worked for an NGO, United to End

US-based nonprofit called Devel-

ground, devise a recommendation

Genocide. It turned out to be a

opment Gateway, which uses data

strategy, train personnel, develop

great fit. “We were doing advo-

and technology to improve trans-

monitoring and evaluation frame-

cacy work and lobbying the State

parency around the management

works, and work from a country

WINTER 2021

18

(Fabrice Musoni continued)

(Seth Jovaag continued)

office. But when COVID hit, refugee camps and other

be able to provide better continuity of care. And some-

places became inaccessible. So they shifted focus to

times, when there’s a patient on the floor whose person-

online learning, and now the program has responded

ality demands a lot of time and attention, the My Life, My

to a global need, going from two countries to 18. “The

Story team acts as a relief valve. Afterward, the care team

demand was so great it was overwhelming,” Musoni

might better understand what’s behind the patient’s

says, anticipating that Learning Passport users could

behavior.

exceed 1 million by the end of 2021.

Now in its seventh year, the My Life, My Story program

This experience and those that preceded it have lit

has spread to more than 50 VA hospitals across the coun-

a new passion for Musoni, who hopes to start his own

try. It has captured the stories of more than 5,000 veter-

consulting firm focused on advisory support to Afri-

ans. And this fall, Jovaag, with his background in audio

can governments in the areas of education, climate

production, launched a podcast sharing some of these

change, and adaptation. “That’s where I feel like I can

veterans’ stories (with their permission). The first season

add value to what’s been done out there,” he says.

features a 108-year-old veteran, prisoners of war, and a

While the plan requires a lot of knowledge and

survivor of military sexual trauma. But, like Jovaag says,

networking, Musoni, constant reinventor that he is,

these aren’t all war stories. They’re stories of love, loss,

feels optimistic. “At Luther, I was given the environ-

defining moments, regret, and opportunity—and all the

ment to explore and challenge myself and to have that

many other things, good and bad, that make a life.

faith to have big dreams,” he says. “I always say, if I’ve already proven something to myself, what’s next?”

Season 1 of the VA Presents: My Life, My Story podcast is available on Spotify.

—Kate Frentzel —Kate Frentzel

Plan for retirement and save on taxes

If you’re thinking about the future and looking for a way to plan for retirement and further Luther’s mission, consider these two charitable gift options:

Charitable Gift Annuity—make a gift of cash or property to Luther College and receive payments for life.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)—fund a CRT with real estate or appreciated stock to bypass capital gain, or with cash, and receive income for life.

Each of these options provides income and tax savings. Find a customized plan by exploring all of the options available to you with planned giving. To learn more, contact Kelly Sorenson at 563-387-1066, kelly.sorenson@luther.edu, or visit legacygiving.luther.edu.

LUTHER

19

MAGAZINE

A L L T H E N E W S T H AT ’ S F I T T O W AT C H

As supervising producer for a national TV news broadcast, Paige Lobdell ’16 keeps viewers informed. In the four short years since grad-

primetime live national news

she says, that “This is an industry

uating from Luther, Paige Lobdell

program.

where people are looking to you

Lobdell grew up with The

for information, they’re looking

the world of broadcast journal-

Today Show on in the background

to you for a sense of comfort and

ism. Now, at 26, as supervising

every morning as her family got

a sense of what’s going on. And

producer for NewsNation, she

ready for school. She pinpoints

I thought, I want to be a part of

orchestrates what thousands of

9-11 as her first significant news

sharing these stories.”

viewers across the country see

memory. Watching coverage of the

At Luther, Lobdell pursued

and hear during a brand-new

event as a child, it dawned on her,

her interest doggedly, through

’16 has risen like a meteor through

WINTER 2021

20

work-study positions writing for

thrives under pressure. She likens

Luther’s communications team

the vibe at the studio to her Luther

and doing play-by-play radio

softball experience, saying,

for the athletics program. She

“There’s a real team atmo-

interned at media stations like

sphere—it’s not just me plugging

KFAN Radio in Minneapolis and

away behind a computer all day—

KSDK 5 in St. Louis. When she

there’s a whole group of journal-

graduated, she got a job as a

ists. And you want to be there in

weekend overnight producer at

those big moments—you want to

NBC 15 in Madison, Wis. “I did my

be there to pull things off for your

interview on spring break in Flor-

team.”

ida with the softball team,” she

NewsNation’s parent company,

remembers. “I found out I got the

Nexstar, describes the program as

job right before getting on a bus

“fact-based, impactful, educa-

trip to go to a game.”

tional, and unbiased.” Lobdell

Lobdell worked her way up

says the program has a team

over two years at the station, find-

that reviews scripts for biased

ing her niche producing evening

language and another team that

news. She then moved over to

reviews the programs after they

Minneapolis’s Fox 9 KMSP, where

air and runs debriefs on instances

she produced its hour-long 9 p.m.

of bias. “We’re still learning, we’re

newscast in the Twin Cities. Two

a work in progress,” she says, “but

years later, when she heard about

we spent months going through

WGN’s new venture in Chicago,

training and exercises and writing

she jumped at the chance to be

exercises to be able to arrive at a

closer to family in Illinois and

place where we feel like we know

help launch an ambitious project.

how to look at different subjects

NewsNation is a three-

impartially. We’ve created a really

hour national nightly news

cool atmosphere where we can

program, and as supervising

have open conversations with a

producer, Lobdell is responsi-

lot of different perspectives.”

ble for its first hour, 7–8 p.m.

The program launched on

central. She has input on the

September 1, and Lobdell’s

stories its correspondents cover.

already covered some historic

She decides the order and place-

events, like the passing of Ruth

ment of segments. She writes

Bader Ginsburg, the ongoing

the text that anchors read off the

pandemic, and the 2020 presiden-

teleprompter. She lines up the

tial election. And this, of course,

graphics and maps that appear

puts her right where she’s wanted

on screen and decides the camera

to be since childhood: delivering

shots. In short, she’s responsible

news to keep people informed and

for the content and presentation

connected during uncertain times.

of the first hour of the show, and she monitors it from a booth with

“We’ve created a really cool atmosphere where we can have open conversations with a lot of different perspectives.”

—Kate Frentzel

Top: Lobdell is supervising producer at WGN’s national news program, NewsNation. Above: Lobdell supervises the first hour of the program from a bank of monitors. Opposite: Lobdell (second from right) poses with NewsNation anchors.

a bank of dozens of live screens. This sounds like a lot to tackle five nights a week, but Lobdell LUTHER

21

MAGAZINE

DERECHO WREAKS H AVOC, ALUMNI PITCH IN On August 10, 2020, an intense

a larger saw, and he used that for

“It was like a bomb went off,”

windstorm raced from Iowa to

the biggest trunks. It’s estimated

Pat says. Fortunately, while they

Indiana. This type of storm is

that at least half of the trees in the

lost four trees, the Fagans’ home

called a derecho—Spanish for

Cedar Rapids area were destroyed

had only a small hole in the roof.

straight—for its powerful and

or heavily damaged. With so many

Better yet, the oak in their front

sustained linear winds, in this

down, Gibbs says, his neighbor-

yard, under which they’d taken

case gusting between 70 and

hood is a different place. “You

wedding photos in April, still

110 miles an hour. The derecho

can see for blocks and blocks and

stood.

wrought an estimated $7.5 billion

blocks,” he says.

in damage to buildings, crops,

As the storm began, Rich Altor-

Pat describes the recovery effort: “A growing mob of people

and trees—more than any thun-

fer ’74, of Cedar Rapids, heard a

started cleaning up at one house

derstorm in modern times. Luther

report that visibility was down to

with chain saws and rakes,

alumni who live in the hard-

ten feet. His wife, Candy (Grimm)

moving stuff to the curb to be

hit Cedar Rapids area were first

Altorfer ’73, was at a store, and he

picked up by the city. When they

stunned by the destruction, and

quickly called her to come home.

finished at one house, they would

then determined to help restore

She made it in the door just as a

just move on to the next house

their communities.

tree crashed through their roof.

and the next house and the next.

Paul Gibbs ’84, of Marion,

Their longtime tree service,

It was heartwarming to see people

northeast of Cedar Rapids, had

which arrived the next day, said

coming together without expecta-

expected a normal thunderstorm

they wanted to buy equipment to

tion just because everyone needed

and watched in surprise as the

help with the cleanup. It was obvi-

help, and everyone was willing to

gusts repeatedly pushed a tree

ous the work would take months.

lend a hand.”

low over the truck in his drive-

Rich immediately loaned them

way. That tree survived, but across

enough to buy a truck with a large

neighbors found a silver lining in

the street, Gibbs says, few if any

bucket scoop and a skid loader.

the clear weather following the

trees remained. Power lines were

Pat ’14 and Allison (Feltes)

storm. Physically tired and mind-

down everywhere. Neighbors had

Fagan ’15, of Cedar Rapids, got

ful of keeping their distance in

a badly damaged roof, so one of

word the storm was coming while

the summer of COVID-19, neigh-

the first things Gibbs did was loan

they were hiking near Decorah.

bors nevertheless communed in

them his generator to start drying

They called their parents and

their lawn chairs each night. Their

their rain-soaked interior.

Over in Marion, Gibbs and his

asked them to batten the hatches

reward was a galaxy of stars blink-

Gibbs also had a chain saw,

at their home. Giving the storm

ing overhead, which until now had

and for the next seven days he cut

time to pass, they dawdled a bit

been hidden by the tree canopy

through downed trees in his neigh-

and then drove south.

and city lights. “It was amazing,”

borhood. The work was tough.

Downed semis blocked an

Twice, his saw blade came off. A

interstate and debris clogged city

neighbor’s family then loaned him

streets as they zigzagged home.

WINTER 2021

22

Gibbs said. —Ellen Modersohn

Class Notes ’60 John Bakke is a retired communication consultant in Memphis, Tenn.

Gary Berkland is a retired pastor in Morgan Hill, Calif.

’64 David Blockhus of

Richmond, Texas, is a retired independent investment advisor. Gloria (Flugstad) Jacobson is a retired piano teacher in Ridgeland, Wis. Laura (Oppermann) Johnson is a retired clinical social worker in Tiffin, Ohio. Lana (Bluske) and Hans Peterson ’61 live in Roseville, Minn. Lana is a retired director of guidance at Mahtomedi Senior High School. Hans is a retired athletic director at Roseville Area High School. David Senjem of Rochester, Minn., was reelected to the Minnesota Senate, where he has served for 18 years. He will now serve as chair of the Senate Energy Committee.

’65 Wayne Paulson of

Chandler, Ariz., is retired from the nanotechnology laboratory at Arizona State University.

’66 Nancy (Hunter) Adamus is a retired teacher in Penfield, N.Y. John Bodensteiner of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a consultant at Northern Arizona Health Care. Glenn Borreson is author of the book Take Another Look: Grace and Truth in Ordinary Places, a compilation of his reflections on a variety of themes from life and ministry. Connie Kronlokken of San Rafael, Calif., is author of a fiction series including Fit Company for Oneself, featuring a fictional college largely based on Luther in the mid-1960s.

’68 Myron Heaton is director of the Myron Heaton Chorale in Las Vegas, which celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2020.

’69 Barry Bishop is a retired district underwriting manager at Federated Mutual in Owatonna, Minn. Jeff Casper retired from the northeast marketing division of Cuna Mutual Company in Emerald Isle, N.C. Shari (Kiely) Nelson is a retired teacher in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Rich Rima of Summerville, S.C., is a retired principal systems engineer at SI International and a retired colonel in the US Air Force.

’70 Kathy (Klawiter) El-

gethun of St. Louis Park, Minn., is a retired English teacher. Billie Jean (Winger) Freemore is a retired marketing representative in De Pere, Wis. Steve Glantz is a retired manager for Quaker Oats and Pepsico in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John Hougen is a retired pastor in Elkins Park, Pa. Judith Johnson Olsen of Newtown Square, Pa., is a retired adjunct English faculty member at Villanova University. Janell (Masden) Rosenberg of Henderson, Nev., is a retired special education consultant.

’71 Harold Leroy Bradway

is the cataloging librarian at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Michael Forde is an attorney, shareholder, and former president of Aafedt, Forde, Gray, Monson, and Hager in Minneapolis. He is listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America and was named to the 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers list. Alan Mersch of Medford, Ore., is a retired physician. Mark Stengel of Atascadero, Calif., is a retired director of libraries and distance education at Cuesta College.

’72 Paul Aasen Jr. of Beloit,

appointed to President-Elect Joe Biden’s new coronavirus advisory board. Mike also serves on Luther’s Board of Regents.

Barbara Fuller of Chicago is a retired physician/oncologist.

Ron Popenhagen recently published Modernist Disguise: Masquerade in Modern Performance and Visual Culture.

Wis., is a retired field biologist at Dow AgroSciences.

’73 Patricia (Shefveland)

Jordahl retired as a fine arts division chair at Eastern Arizona College in Tucson. Barbara (Grawe) Wedge is a retired physical therapist in Clinton, Iowa.

’74 Marilyn (Morse) Chris-

tiansen of Edina, Minn., is the education department student teaching supervisor at Gustavus Adolphus College. W.D. Foster-Graham of Mounds View, Minn., is author of Never Give Up, the fifth novel in his series about the Christopher family. Margi Preus of Duluth, Minn., recently published The Silver Box: An Enchantment Lake Mystery. She is a New York Times bestselling author and winner of a Newbery Honor. Robert Schultz of Salem, Va., recently published Into the New World: Poems. Angie (Geilfuss) Swetland of Eagan, Minn., is author of I Know You by Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey. Robert Yant of Muscatine, Iowa, retired after 43 years in law enforcement, 21 of them as director of public safety for the city of Marshall, Minn.

’75 Karen (Gesme)

Brunssen, past president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, teaches voice at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She also published a comprehensive reference volume, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes across the Lifespan. Alan Jacobsen of Bothell, Wash., retired as a technical fellow after more than 33 years at Boeing. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, was

Diane (Njus) Valade of Ruckersville, Va., is a retired assistant professor emeritus of mathematics at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

’76 Brad Braley retired in

June as a Presbyterian minister after 40 years of service to churches in Ida Grove, Nevada, and Cedar Falls, Iowa. Shelley Bruce of Fitchburg, Wis., retired from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Kim (Taylor) and Jon Jordan live in Atlantic, Iowa. Kim is the owner of Anita Engraving and Awards. Jon is the health and wellness director at Heritage House. Phyllis (Hardtke) Logan of Wild Rose, Wis., retired as registrar at Marquette University High School. Julia Natvig is a retired occupational health nurse in Sioux Falls, S.D. Tom Stark of San Diego, Calif., is a physician with the Department of Defense at the Naval Branch Health Clinic. Luther Thoresen is a retired Lutheran pastor in Grundy Center, Iowa.

’77 Rebecca Boyd of Bellevue, Neb., is a retired archaeologist.

Steve Brauer of Coronado, Calif., is chairman and CEO of Flambeau Diagnostics, a life science micro-engineering company focused on infectious diseases. Jerry Jahn is a retired systems support manager at American General in Houston. Brian Rude of Coon Valley, Wis., retired after 20 years as vice president of government and community relations at Dairyland Power Cooperative.

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’78 Becky (Essmann) Hamilos of Johnson City, Tenn., retired after more than 30 years of service as a registered nurse.

Nancy (Hawbaker) Harms of Sun Prairie, Wis., is a retired aquatics facility director. Lori Knutson is a retired reading teacher in Eden Prairie, Minn. Jim Pech ran the 2019 London Marathon. It was his eighth and (he says) final marathon.

’79 Phyllis (Zylstra) Com-

stock of Stillwater, Minn., retired from 3M. Rebecca (Jessen) Lang is founder of LifeStrategies in Johnston, Iowa. She is a certified life coach and a trainer in motivational interviewing and patient-centered conversations. Paul Moen is CFO of Crown Bank in Minneapolis and was honored as a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal CFO of the Year. Martha (Gesme) Nielsen of Cary, Ill., retired as key account manager for SAS-Scandinavian Airlines.

’80 Mark Bailey of Palos

Park, Ill., is a retired band director. Jeffrey Dotseth of Coralville, Iowa, is a retired software engineer. Jim Jackson retired as head wrestling coach at Shakopee (Minn.) High School. He previously coached at Apple Valley for 32 years. His career coaching record is 868-64-4. Greg Vanney retired as director of marketing and communications at Valley City (N.D.) State University. He now makes his home in Decorah.

’81 Paul Ohlrogge of Black

Earth, Wis., is an area extension director with the University of Wisconsin. Jeff Paulson is president of Technical Solutions Holdings in Des Moines, Iowa. Curt Tryggestad is superintendent of the Pine City (Minn.) School District.

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’82 Karen DeBauche retired

as band director at Urbana (Ill.) Middle School after teaching for 30 years. She was selected to represent Illinois for the 2019 School Band and Orchestra magazine’s Annual Directors Who Make a Difference Award. She also received the Illinois Grade School Music Association’s 2020 Cloyd Myers Memorial Award. Carol Hagen, clinical social worker, retired from Luther College Counseling Service last spring. She is author of a new children’s book, What’s in the Rommegrot?!, available in the Luther Book Shop. Michael Hahn of West Des Moines, Iowa, retired as budget systems administrator at the Iowa Department of Management. Stephanie (Moard) Hansen is senior vice president, chief deposit, and cash management officer at Choice Bank in Eagan, Minn. Cheri (Jeans) Holterman of Reedsburg, Wis., is the HR director at Dental Associates of Baraboo. Julie (Jensen) McGowan is senior accountant at Nieminski Robbins and Associates CPAs in Barrington, Ill. David “Chip” Norris of Champlin, Minn., retired as group president at Alerus Financial. He also serves on Luther’s Board of Regents.

’85 Sonja (Smith) Meyer

retired after more than 30 years of teaching English at Glenbrook (Ill.) South High School. Thomas Rosholt is the owner and principal at Tom Rosholt Consulting in Racine, Wis.

’86 Victoria Hoffman teach-

es Spanish at Xavier High School and is a medical interpreter for Humble Language Institute in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

’87 Kris Fadness is a teacher and head boys basketball coach at Austin (Minn.) High School. He has achieved 369 wins and six state tournament trips over his eight years of coaching in Austin. The community thanked him for his service to young people by naming their new basketball facility, the Kris Fadness Gym, in his honor. Kristi (Sprague) Glesne and David Glesne live in Bloomington, Ill. Kristi is the associate director of work ready curriculum development and innovation at Heartland Community College. David is senior pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Melissa (Schupbach) and Michael MacGregor ’90 live in Urbandale, Iowa. Melissa is an elementary school counselor in the Urbandale Community School District. Michael is sales leader with Midwest Markets at Wellfleet Workplace. Christopher Manke is executive director of Outreach for Hope for the Greater Milwaukee Synod of Wisconsin (ELCA).

is a school social worker for the Marshfield (Wis.) School District.

’88 Stuart Arey teaches

Anne (Mattson) McAnallen is a servicing financial specialist at Homeowners Financial Group USA in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Diane Kelly-Riley coedited an essay collection on student writing called Improving Outcomes: Disciplinary Writing, Local Assessment, and the Aim of Fairness. Diane is associate professor of English and interim vice provost for faculty at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Rich Smith of Decorah is an account executive with Ease-E Medical.

Lori Beckman-Koehn of Dove Canyon, Calif., is a retired flight attendant with Delta and American Airlines. anesthesiologist with Associated Anesthesiologists in West Des Moines, Iowa. He also serves on Luther’s Board of Regents.

Edina, Minn., is author of Radiant: The Dancer, the Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light. She has written six children’s science books, with Radiant being her first science narrative for adults.

Jill (Schroeder) Putman is CFO of Jamf Holding Corp. in Minneapolis and was honored as a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal CFO of the Year.

Loran Storts of Decorah earned a master’s degree in education, psychology, and coaching from the University of Missouri and is assistant track and field coach at Luther College.

’84 Jeffrey Anderson is an

’89 Liz (Lee) Heinecke of

Carla (Meyer) and Mark Hillman ’86 are both teaching and learning coaches at the Graded American School of São Paulo, Brazil.

’83 Duane Amhof is first

vice president and regional commercial banking manager at Lincoln Savings Bank in Waterloo, Iowa.

David Wrightsman is pastor at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls, Wis.

physics and chemistry and is head of science at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey. Todd Bransky was awarded the 2020 Employee Owner of the Year Award by the ESOP Association. He is a system integration specialist for Folience in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and supports several business units with data integration, reporting, and workflow automation. Todd has been with the company since 1998. John Nielsen of Hopkins, Minn., works in finance at Source Land Capital.

’90 Lisa (Martzke) Deemer Kimberly (Saxe) and Brian DeVries ’89 live in Chaska, Minn. Kimberly teaches music at Southwest Christian High School. Brian is area director at Search Ministries.

Bonnie Gunzenhauser is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. Catherine (Begalske) Koebrick is senior human resources director for the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. James Olson is senior project manager at Blue Origin in Kent, Wash. Kara (Deckinger) Rudnick is a Law Enforcement Academy administrative assistant at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo.

’91 Deanna (Lindell) Drum

is vice president of people and culture at Auction.com in Irvine, Calif. Duane Thofson is vice president of business operations at Digital River in Minnetonka, Minn. Elaine Watkins-Miller is director of communications for the Iowa State University Foundation in Ames.

’92 Lars Anderson was

appointed the Sixth Judicial District chief judge by Iowa Supreme Court chief justice Susan Christensen. Kristen (Anderson) Heffern is an occupational medicine nurse practitioner at CentraCare Midwest Occupational Medicine in St. Cloud, Minn. John Hollman is professor of physical therapy, physical therapy program director, and assistant dean of student and faculty affairs at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minn. Sarah Peterson is systemwide products director at the Tulsa (Okla.) City-County Library. David Schneider of Edina, Minn., is vice president and chief marketing officer for the Red Wing Shoe Company.

’93 Britt Andersen is head

of the art department at Sussex County Charter School in Denville, N.J. Michele Davis is founder of Kisses and Wiggles Pet Sitting in Eatontown, N.J. Lonnie Morken is a physical education teacher, volleyball coach, and athletic director at Mabel-Canton (Minn.) High School. When his school switched to distance learning last March, he started a YouTube channel to spread some laughs and encourage the kids in his mostly rural district to stay active. KIMTTV and Rochester’s Post-Bulletin covered Lonnie’s project, which features funny workouts with zany characters and themes.

’94 Sara (McMurry) Dady

is an immigration attorney and owner of Dady Law Group in Rockford, Ill.

’95 Jennifer (Christensen)

Millspaugh is administrative assistant at the University of Michigan’s LSA Opportunity Hub in Ann Arbor. Mark Ritter is president, medical director, and a specialist in orthopedic sports medicine and trauma at Methodist Sports Medicine in Indianapolis. Kristin (Nagel) Rosenfeld of Arlington, Minn., is office manager at Henderson Healing Hub. Rebecca (Borke) Voss is lead pastor at Wausau (Wis.) First United Methodist Church.

Luther College Book Shop 563-387-1036 Maria Morales ’20 College Possible Catalyze Coach, Luther College

Julie Wold Stone is middle school reading and special education teacher, and gifted and talented advisor, for the Boulder (Colo.) Valley School District.

lutherbookshop.com

’96 Josh Byrnes is general

manager of the Osage (Iowa) Municipal Utilities. He was recently appointed to serve as a board member to the Iowa Utilities Board by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds. Jennifer (Molldrem) Fredrick is children’s services specialist at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, Ill. Jill Johnson is on the nursing faculty and is simulation coordinator at Herzing University in St. Louis Park, Minn. Amy Sproston is the first woman to run the 420-mile Jordan Trail, which typically takes 40 days to walk. Amy holds the current fastest known time on the trail at eight days, nine hours, and 28 minutes, beating—by more than 24 hours—the times of two British men who ran it in 2019. Amy documented the journey on her Instagram account. Erin VanLaningham is associate professor of English at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

’97 Erika (Andersen)

Billerbeck of Solon, Iowa, is a conservation officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. She is author of a new book, Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes from an Iowa Conservation Officer. Kelly (Blough) Cox is a regional representative for the Indiana

Association of Home Educators. She also volunteer teaches at a Christian women’s drug rehabilitation center. Amanda (Alcock) Freese of Marion, Iowa, earned an MA degree in teaching and learning from the University of Iowa. She is the general and vocal music specialist at Francis Marion Intermediate School. Lars Jensen of Stoughton, Wis., is a captain/pilot for Allstate Insurance Company. Marsha (Knoke) Jevne teaches English for the LeRoy-Ostrander (Minn.) Public Schools. Heather (Crowell) Langan earned an MDiv degree from Luther Seminary and is associate pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Claremont, N.C. Arvind Ramnani is senior research analyst at Piper Sandler in Portland, Ore. Kirk Severtson is professor of voice at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He was named the 2019–20 recipient of the American Prize in Conducting in the college/university opera division for the world premiere production of Mayo by Tom Cipullo.

’98 Stephanie (Spear)

Filigno received the Carolyn and C. Richard Mattingly Leadership in Mental Health Award from the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, which honors her leadership and commitment to the mental health and well-being of individuals with CF. Stephanie is a pediatric psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and a member of the CF Foundation’s Mental Health Advisory Committee. Joe Grimstad is vice chairman of Decorah Bank and Trust Company in Decorah. The bank recently launched an online bank called greenpenny, which aspires to be a catalyst for positive environmental change. Money deposited in greenpenny is used only to finance renewable-energy projects of all sizes, primarily in the upper Midwest. April Remfrey of Bülach, Switzerland, is founder of Remfrey Educational Consulting. In May 2020, she was an invited to be a member of the Toddle Future of Learning Panel, which explored the need for more inclusive international schools.

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’99 Carryn (Ensrude) Ander-

son, as leader of the Head and Neck Treatment Team, received the Patient Satisfaction and Service Excellence Award as part of the 2020 University of Iowa Physicians Clinical Awards. Carryn is residency program director in the Department of Radiation Oncology and clinical associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Kate Helgerson is director of the Office of Rental Assistance for the Colorado Division of Housing in Denver. Kurt Hoover is senior pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Joliet, Ill. Lindsey (Smith) Munson of Rock Island Ill., is an early childhood special education teacher in the Rock Island–Milan School District. She also published two children’s books, Munson Marvels: My Forever Family and Munson Marvels: My Peach Family, which follow the life of a family throughout their adoption journey. Alyssa Young is executive director of the Deke Slayton Museum in Sparta, Wis. Jon Zora is customer service manager in industrial metrology for CyberOptics in Seattle.

’00 Sara (Donhowe)

Goldberg is senior director of development at the National Down Syndrome Society in Washington, DC. Koren (Haugen) and Marc Melcher ’01 live in Plainview, Minn. Koren is an LIS technical specialist coordinator in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. Marc is assistant principal at Byron High School.

’01 Toby Anderson of Northfield, Minn., is a mental health practitioner at Secure Base Counseling Center.

Susan (Buckheister) Hanson is distinguished lecturer in health and medicine at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. She was awarded the 2020 Allhiser Award for Teaching Excellence, given annually to recognize exceptional instruction by a faculty member. WINTER 2021

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Tony Hart is associate principal at Arcadia (Wis.) Elementary School. He has also been a parttime announcer, sales associate, and news reporter at WWIS Radio for 29 years. Sarah (Hawryluk) Keilholtz is lead pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shiremanstown, Pa. Tara Kuckkan is payroll and benefits specialist at StuartCo in Minneapolis. Gene Tesdahl is associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.

’02 Susie (Soiney) Brekke is community programs associate with World Relief, a refugee resettlement agency, in Appleton, Wis.

Sarah (Clark) Huffman of Powell, Ohio, is executive director of the Office of Farmland Preservation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Gordy Hunter is assistant professor of chemistry at Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley. Katie Kramer is a teacher at Community Action Head Start in Broken Arrow, Okla. Erica Lamm is associate professor of communication, assistant director of forensics, and interim MBA program director at Concordia University in Seward, Neb. Andrea (Huls) and Christian Loger ’01 live in Lakeville, Minn. Andi is an administrator at Rosemount Middle School. Christian is senior manager of the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center. Laura (Zamzow) Lynch, professor of music at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, N.D., was voted Professor of the Year at the university in 2020. Lisa Moe Meierkort is adult services programming librarian for the Lemont (Ill.) Public Library District. Kiersten (Hanson) Persson is a dental assistant with Tannlege Ole Tellefsen in Solbergmoen, Norway. Erin (Hilton) Sloan is a quality engineer at Boston Scientific in St. Paul, Minn.

Devon Whitehead is a psychologist at North Psychology Clinic in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Eli Williamson was honored by Crain’s Chicago Business magazine as one of Crain’s 2020 Notable Veteran Executives. He is cofounder and president of Leave No Veteran Behind in Chicago.

’03 Jessica Barrett is

founder of Bigger Picture Solutions, a venue consulting and management company in Minneapolis. Since 2003, she has been managing venues in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, including Aria at the Jeune Lune and Machine Shop Minneapolis. Jessica was named Best Supplier in 2019 by the Minnesota Meetings and Events Hall of Fame. Erin (Clark) Benedict of Fond du Lac, Wis., is an adjunct faculty member at Rasmussen College. Krisanne (Linde) Forsman is an early childhood special education evaluator at Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative in Monticello, Minn. She and her husband, Josh, also own and operate Ultimate Home Outlet, a discount home-improvement store. Abby Frost is director of choirs at Ipswich (Mass.) High School. Emily (Vanden Heuvel) Lessner is principal for the Watertown (Wis.) Unified School District. Carrie (Walling) and Jake Nimrod ’01 live in Decorah. Carrie teaches first grade at John Cline Elementary School. Jake is associate principal and activities director at Decorah Middle School. Justin Solsvig is assistant director of grounds and sports turf maintenance at Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Ga. Amanda Stewart earned a PhD degree in sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is an instructor of sociology at the University of Colorado– Boulder. Jessica Vansteenburg is a lecturer in music at the University of Colorado–Boulder and woodwind teacher at Rocky Ridge Music Center.

Amber Wilson is founder and owner of Ananda Mental Wellness and Yoga in Des Moines, Iowa.

’04 Nana Ahwoi is a partner at Ernst and Young in Minneapolis and serves on their US National Consulting Cybersecurity Group.

Angelina Calderon is a business developer at Facebook in Menlo Park, Calif. Mandy Henderson and David Rowley ’05 live in Lafayette, Colo. Mandy earned the MSW degree from the University of Southern California and is a mental health practitioner with Open Door Autism Project. David is the head of experience at Iterate.ai. David Lenninger of Neenah, Wis., is a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Anesthesiology SC. Tom Velishek is director of human resources at CUSITech in Westerville, Ohio.

’05 Cassidy Baker is an early childhood special education teacher and on the assessment team at the Aurora (Colo.) Public Schools. Jared Beenken is vice president, Europe, for Zayo Group, a global telecommunication infrastructure provider in Boulder, Colo. Nicholas Bonifazi is a deputy/ criminal investigator with the US Marshals Service in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks is tenth-grade English teacher and speech and drama coach for the Decorah Community School District. Andrea Christensen Zdenek is language arts guide at Great River School in St. Paul, Minn. Sarah (Rouse) Clark is an ordained ELCA pastor and a freelance writer in St. Paul, Minn. Jeffrey Clements is an optometrist and owner of Clements Vision Care in Sun Prairie, Wis. Chris Dahl is executive director at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in Story City, Iowa. Becky Franklin and Sam Drong ’04 live in Minneapolis. Becky is assistant director of administra-

tion on the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Sam is general manager at Tech Discounts. Theresa (Damratowski) and Mike Gucwa live in San Ramon, Calif. Theresa is a travel agent at Adventure Together Travel. Mike is a channel marketing manager at Logitech. Adam Hart is high school assistant principal at Bellevue Christian School in Clyde Hill, Wash. Rachel Heise is the space lab team lead at Molson Coors Beverage Company in Milwaukee. Neil Heller is chief law enforcement ranger for the National Park Service in Custer, S.D. Karl Hoeschen teaches English at Anoka Hennepin Regional High School in Coon Rapids, Minn. Lindsay Kimball is director of regional membership at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. Kirsten (Russell) Koester is assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator at Grinnell (Iowa) College. Martha McCreight is pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Penn Hills, Pa. Damara (Stanley) O’Malley is an authorization and quality review specialist in the Veterans Benefits Administration for the VA in St. Paul, Minn. Katie (Blobaum) Pieh earned the Montessori infant/toddler certification from the Hope Montessori Educational Institute in St. Louis. She is the teacher leader at Wildwood Montessori School in Montevideo, Minn. Jarrod Quinlivan is a registered nurse at UNC Hospitals at WakeBrook in Raleigh, N.C. Kyla (Schulenberg) Schoenwetter earned a DNP degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is a thoracic surgery and lung transplant clinical nurse specialist at UW Health in Madison, Wis. Amanda (Bjork) Schultz is an art teacher for the Anoka Hennepin Public Schools in Ramsey, Minn. Jed Stutzman is a social studies teacher at Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial High School and foot-

ball running back coach for the University of Wisconsin–Stout. Kelsey (Schmidt) Weiss is a substitute teacher at Kids First Preschool in Lawrence, Kan. Eleanor (Valeta) Wiltgen is a benefit analyst at Principal Financial in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

’06 Angela (Reichert) Griffin of Howard City, Mich., earned a BS degree in nursing from Ferris State University. She is a registered nurse at Spectrum Health United Hospital.

Alyson (Nienhaus) Haugen is wellness education specialist for the All of Us Research Program with Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Michelle (Monson) Klisanich is a wealth advisor with the Birch Cove Group of Raymond James in Minneapolis. Stacy (Greene) Loneman is a registered nurse and a certified diabetes care and education specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Justin Papka is director of grants and contracts at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC. Heather (Arneson) Roberts is self-employed as a bookkeeper in Chanhassen, Minn. Alissa Vik earned a PhD degree in Latin American cultural studies from the University of Bergen and is assistant professor of Spanish at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Rachel Ware Carlton is director of advancement for the School of Humanities and Fine Arts and director of graduate music at Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wis.

’07 Drew DeVine of

Englewood, Fla., is a freelance artist traversing all 50 states on his “Painting My Way across the USA” road trip to bring art, kindness, and hope to people shaken by the pandemic. He’s making the journey in a Roadtrek 190 camper van, creating live art during his stops. Through painting, Drew encourages bridge-building discussions and meaningful connections during this fraught time. “People are scared right now,” he says. “The

dynamics of being a human just changed. I’m trying to get out and let people know they can still play and still have fun.”

Amy Stockseth is an early childhood special education teacher for the Norwalk (Iowa) Community School District.

Amber Hill Anderson is division director and lead mediator at Pesch Law Office in Denver.

Laura (Monson) and Tony Vanden Heuvel ’06 live in Edina, Minn. Laura is director of innovation at Optum Health. Tony is a surgical sales executive at Karl Storz Endoscopy. He received the Surgical Executive Rookie of the Year honor for 2019.

Katie (Merrifield) Jones of Adel, Iowa, is an integration manager at EMC Insurance Companies. Allison Kruger-Herman of Las Cruces, N.M. is an occupational therapy mentor at 21st Century Rehab. Stacy Myhre Twite is chief of staff at the Minnesota Department of Human Services in St. Paul. Sarah (Quick) Olejniczak is Title IX and compliance coordinator at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. Elizabeth (Callender) Schmitz is chief financial officer at Tri-County Head Start in Waterloo, Iowa. Carolyn Starz and Nathaniel Anderson live in Williamstown, Mass. Carolyn teaches biology and health at Mt. Greylock Regional School. Nathaniel is rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church on the campus of Williams College. Mark Strohnbehn is director of stabilization and transition programs at DT Global in Washington, DC. Michelle (Jebsen) and Brett “Fish” Wilson live in Durango, Colo. Michelle is adjunct professor of exercise science and public health at Fort Lewis College. Brett teaches Spanish in the Durango School District.

’08 Andrew Boddicker is

K–12 vocal music director for the Eastern Allamakee School District in Lansing, Iowa. Laura Gorton was ordained as a minister of word and service (deacon). She is associate minister at Christ Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Ill. Andrea Kruse earned an MA degree in anthropology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is zone archaeologist for the Little Missouri National Grassland with the USDA Forest Service in Watford City, N.D. Niki Mosier is head of SEO at Two Octobers in Denver.

Elise (Hoehn) and Clayton Ward live in Le Claire, Iowa. Elise is a visual arts teacher with the North Scott Community School District. Clayton is executive director of the Fountains Senior Living Community with Dial Management.

’09 Flannery (Cerbin)

and Adam Bohach ’06 live in Cresco, Iowa. Flannery is the worksite wellness coordinator at Northeast Iowa Community College. Adam teaches biology at Decorah High School. The pair are also beginning market gardeners at their 27-acre farm, Tailwind Acres, and continue to train and run competitively. Flannery turned in a personal best 17:08 for the 5K last spring. Adam ran a marathon last year in 2:18:39, missing the Olympic Trials by only 79 seconds. Laura (McCarty) and Brett Cooper live in Sioux Falls, S.D. Laura is an orchestra teacher in the Sioux Falls School District. Brett earned an MM degree in piano performance from the University of South Dakota. He works in development at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science. The two founded the White Spruce Chamber Players, a South Dakota–based ensemble committed to providing the region with approachable high-quality chamber music. Brie (Kunkel) Iverson is director of youth and family ministries at Zion Lutheran Church in Galesville, Wis. Peter McLellan is an educational analyst at Oxford College of Emory University in Atlanta. Andrea (Johnson) Mierau is director of clinical education and assistant professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.

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Bailey Miller is program manager of inflight communications at Endeavor Air in Minneapolis.

Anna (Quick) Scheetz is senior asset manager at Schafer Richardson in Minneapolis.

Steven Thai of Bloomington, Minn., is manager of global communications for Cargill.

Matthew Myers earned a DMA degree in choral conducting from Louisiana State University and is an instructor of choral music education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Eli Wallace is a postdoctoral scholar at Tufts University in Boston.

Amanda (Lutz) Nickel is a respiratory therapist and research study coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

’11 Marcus Barlow is a physi-

Jenny (St. Clair) and Alex Tomesch ’12 live in Marana, Ariz. Jenny earned an MBA degree from the University of Iowa. Alex, who earned an MD degree and completed emergency medicine residency at the University of Iowa, is a primary care sports medicine fellow at the University of Arizona.

Beth Nimmo is a professional services engineer at Jamf Software in Minneapolis. Matthew Orth is INFRA customer fulfillment specialist at KeHE Distributors in Chicago.

’10 Barbara Eisenmenger

works in behavioral health for Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Erin Lunde Keenan and Sean Lunde Keenan ’09 live in Missoula, Mont. Erin is development director at Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana. Sean is a registered nurse at Providence St. Patrick Hospital. Sarah May earned an MM degree in instrumental conducting from Butler University and is an accompanist with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Laurel (Whitis) Mueller completed an internal medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and is a general internal medicine physician at San Ysidro Health, a nonprofit medical group in the San Diego area. Debora Mukaz, a postdoctoral associate conducting cardiovascular research at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, co-organized a weeklong international virtual event called #BlackinCardioWeek, a social media–based initiative that celebrates Black excellence in cardiovascular research and raises awareness of cardiovascular diseases in the Black community.

Jenna (Nordschow) Wiggins is a project manager at Project Resource Solutions in Chicago. cian assistant at the University of Iowa Health Care’s Medical Intensive Care Unit in Iowa City. Kate (Trigger) Duffert is manager for general assembly business and per capita interpretation for the Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Ky. Emily (Kilgore) Galle-From of Minneapolis is a second-grade teacher at Richardson Elementary School. She has also published a children’s picture book, The Whatifs. Kelsey (Balk) and Jordan Grimm live in Parker, Colo. Kelsey is a physician assistant at Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. Jordan is an account manager at Rexel. Doug Hamilton is director of supply chain for Deco Products in Decorah.

Spencer Green is assistant controller at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Valarie (Fyfe) Halcomb is assistant clinical manager at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. David Kort of Pulaski, Wis., is wallcoverings/grocery department manager for Menards. Benjamin Kost of Cresco, Iowa, earned an MA degree in speech-language pathology and is a speech-language pathologist for Blue Stone Therapy.

Allison (Johnson) Grainger is an adjunct instructor at Winona (Minn.) State University. Ethan Groothuis is a law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals in St. Paul. Elisabeth Hottel is an optometrist at Eyes of the Southwest in Las Cruces, N.M. Shannon Koenders of Maple Grove, Minn., is an optometrist at Bright Eyes Vision Clinic. Danny Robb is assistant supervisor of clinical operations in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Kevin Wenger earned a master’s degree in data analytics leadership from Drake University and is assistant director of institutional research and assessment at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in St. Joseph, Minn. Paige (Schneider) Wies earned a master’s degree in special education from Morningside College and teaches sixth-grade special education for the Waukee (Iowa) School District.

Paul Meyer is an orthodontist at Meyer Orthodontics in Brookings, S.D.

Paige Lenoch is senior business analyst at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in Minneapolis.

director at Wayzata (Minn.) High School.

Rebekah Ryan is collections manager at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis.

Eric Lindgren is senior consultant at Daugherty Business Solutions in St. Louis.

Adam Kobler is a consultant at Soulcatcher in Minneapolis. Jordan Lang of Cedar Falls, Iowa, is a territory business manager for Deere and Company. Kyler Maxfield is a chiropractor at Thrive Wellness Center in Rochester, Minn.

Taylor Nelson of Erie, Colo., is an office manager at Twitter. Dan Offerdahl is a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minn.

Kate (McDonald) Sutherland is director of curriculum and instruction at RISE Prep Mayoral Academy in Woonsocket, R.I.

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Bright is a trauma social worker at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kust live in Hollywood, Fla. Anna is community activation coordinator with the Florida Panthers. Micah is a performance physical therapist at Force Physical Therapy and medical director at Bommarito Performance.

Chelsea (Lynch) and Karlton Larson ’09 live in Davis, Calif. Chelsea is director of development for the Crocker Art Museum. Karlton earned a PhD degree from the School of Cellular, Molecular, and Integrative Physiology at the University of California–Davis. He is a fellow with the California Council on Science and Technology in Sacramento.

Jocelyn Hare is chief operations officer at Restoration Tools in Rockford, Ill.

Emily (Rasmann) and Don Stein live in Iowa City, Iowa. Emily earned Montessori certification and is a preschool teacher. Don is a vicar at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

WINTER 2021

’12 Chelsea (Sailsbury)

’13 Anna DiCecco and Micah

Justin Marschall is direct marketing modeling manager at Lands’ End in Dodgeville, Wis. Kali Anne Sharot earned a DNP degree in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Minnesota. She is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Behavioral Health Services in Eagan, Minn.

Chelsea Wyman is assistant professor and outreach librarian at the University of Wisconsin– La Crosse.

’14 Brad Beale is choral

Eve Christensen is financial aid advisor at PCI Academy in Plymouth, Minn. Hannah (Delzer) and Paul Christenson live in Duluth, Minn. Hannah earned a master of education degree in technology integration from St. Catherine University and is a music teacher at Bay View Elementary School. Paul is choir director at Denfeld High School. Lauren (Meintsma) and Hans Dosland live in Minneapolis. Lauren is senior communications specialist at UnitedHealth Group.

Hans is the homeless youth outreach program manager at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities.

Emily Cauter is a social worker for the Auburn (Wash.) School District.

Jacky Kayeba is an assurance senior at Ernst and Young in Washington, DC.

Eric Klein is director of children, youth, and family ministry at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Lucas Chase is director of operations for the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wis.

Hanna Knutson is a graphic designer at Evereve in Minneapolis.

Jennifer Samuelson is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Velvet (Warne) Chittick is a night crew foreman at King Soopers in Windom, Colo.

Jennifer (Park) Watson is training manager at Sizewise in Lenexa, Kan.

Leah Dahlquist is regional director at CHOICE Employment Services in Decorah.

’15 Neal Abbott is director of

Courtnee DeMuth is a counselor at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Iowa.

catechesis and evangelization at Holy Family Cluster in Chatfield, Minn. Taylor (Baloga) and Spencer Baloga Loufek live in St. Paul, Minn. Taylor is a music therapist at Twin Cities Music Therapy Services. Spencer is a ballroom dance instructor at Cinema Ballroom. Alex Barker is senior account executive for the Iowa Wolves professional basketball team in Des Moines. Jordy Barry is CEO and founder of Silver Values Consulting in Las Vegas. She is also on the caucus team for the Nevada State Democratic Party and a team administrator for speech and debate at Milburn High School. Shelby (Pofahl) Beilke is a registered nurse and oncology certified nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She is also president-elect of the Southwest Minnesota Oncology Nursing Society Chapter. Corinne Benzinger earned an MS degree in nursing from Capella University and is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nathan Bigelow is program director for family support services at Hiawatha Homes in Rochester, Minn. Bryan Bjorklund is a food hub associate at Field to Family in Iowa City, Iowa. Aaron Busch is a firefighter with the Chanhassen (Minn.) Fire Department. Cassie Campbell is equipment finance transaction coordinator for Wells Fargo Financial Leasing in Des Moines, Iowa.

Njabulo (Maseko) Dijeh earned an MA degree in human resources management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a human resources associate at Mental Health Resources in St. Paul, Minn.

Adrienne Kulzer earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Sioux Falls and is a Newborn Intensive Care Unit nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Alison (Smith) Lohmann is a financial advisor at Transamerica in St. Paul, Minn. Connor Mattison is global mobility coordinator at Plus Relocation Services in Minneapolis. Matt McKinney earned the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Des Moines University and is a resident physician at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Michael Ehrecke is an admissions counselor at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.

Michaleen Melby is a chocolatier at Sweet P’s Pantry in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Sarah Forsythe is a certification specialist at MOSA Organic in Viroqua, Wis.

Alise Miller is a leadership development program associate at Principal Financial in Des Moines, Iowa.

Nathan Fujimoto is an LTL specialist at Total Quality Logistics in San Antonio, Texas. Emily Hagan earned a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of St. Thomas and is a clinical therapist at Nexus Gerard Family Healing in Austin, Minn. Brianna (Blum) and Connor Herman ’16 live in Iowa City, Iowa. Brianna teaches second grade for the Iowa City Community Schools. Conner is a police officer with the Iowa City Police Department. Jill Hess is a junior designer at Quatrefoil Associates in Laurel, Md. Dietrich Jessen is an information technologist at Daikin Applied in Minneapolis. Amanda Johnson earned an MA degree in special education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a behavior technician at Caravel Autism Health in Rochester, Minn. Phillip Johnson is clinic manager at MercyHealth in Janesville, Wis.

Allison (Vollinger) and Philip Mortens ’14 live in Madison, Wis. Allison is the customer success specialist at Singlewire. Philip works in implementation services at EPIC Systems Corporation. Lauren Nelson is a licensed practical nurse and a care team assistant at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Danielle (Basche) and Ryan Readinger live in Des Moines, Iowa. Danielle is a business support consultant at Wells Fargo. Ryan is an assurance supervisor at RSM. Chandler Roberson is owner of Culver’s of Decorah. Nick Scheffert is head personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Rochester, Minn. Kayla (Gregg) and Matt Scheidle live in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Matt is school administration manager for the Council Bluffs Community Schools. Kayla earned an MEd degree in curriculum and instruction from Doane University and is a second-grade teacher at Edison Elementary School. Hannah Scholbrock is claims billing representative at Chartwell Midwest Wisconsin in Middleton. Josh Sirios is operations and logistics manager at Gemini Mountain Medical in Englewood, Colo. Kadie Smith is a general music teacher for the Appleton (Wis.) Area School District. Callie Sonnek is account representative at Corporate Graphics International in North Mankato, Minn. Kolin Walker is a QC associate at Juno Therapeutics in Bothell, Wash. Charles Weathers is a client development manager at CJ Affiliate by Conversant in Chicago.

Chelsey O’Connor is assistant manager at Fusion Pet Retreat in Minnetonka, Minn.

Kaila Will is patient services lead at Planned Parenthood North Central States in Minneapolis.

Sam Olson is strategic account executive at SPS Commerce in Minneapolis.

Rachel Williams earned an MA degree in international peace and conflict resolution from the American University School of International Service and an MTS degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. Rachel is program manager for Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theology Seminary in Washington, DC.

Victoria Peters is scholarly communication and cataloging librarian at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. Maja Proescholdt is a tour advisor with Great Rail Journeys in North Yorkshire, England. Devon (Hovey) Puffer is owner and grant proposal writer at DLH Professional Prose in Duluth, Minn. Lauren Rauch is associate underwriter at United Fire Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Isabelle (Krogh) and Andrew Withers ’15 live in Norwalk, Iowa. Isabelle is lead software engineer at Principal Financial. Andrew is a teacher at Walker South Middle School.

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MAGAZINE

’16 Taylor Elton teaches

science for grades 7–12 for the Spring Grove (Minn.) School District. Katherine Gerike is vicar at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minn. Spencer Hackler is a school psychologist intern at South Central Educational Cooperative in Tyndall, S.D. Abigail (Carpenter) Johnson is a dentist at Litchfield (Minn.) Family Dental. Katherine Johnson and Benjamin Harrison live in Chicago. Katherine earned an MSW degree from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Benjamin is a research analyst at Competiscan. Reed Johnson earned an MD degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and is a physician at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City. Tim Komatsu is audience engagement manager at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis. Sarah (Eckhert) and Blake Moen live in Decorah. Sarah is customer success manager at CentralSquare Technologies. Blake is an admissions representative at Northeast Iowa Community College. Laura (Boran) Storlie is the consumer science teacher and head coach for boys swimming at Decorah High School. Erika Storvik teaches mathematics at St. Paul Academy and Summit School in St. Paul, Minn. Amanda (Jenkins) Walch is reference and instruction librarian at the University of Jamestown (N.D.). Janele (Holt) Waterman is administrative assistant for the city of Lino Lakes, Minn.

’17 Mallory (Carr) Asbe

earned a doctor of occupational therapy degree from St. Ambrose University and is an occupational therapist at Mercy One Clive Rehabilitation Hospital in Clive, Iowa. Penny Barbour is associate quality engineer at SPS Commerce in Minneapolis.

WINTER 2021

30

Evan Deutmeyer of Eldridge, Iowa, is the corporate service manager at Sinclair Tractor.

Olivia Benson teaches preschool at Nativity of Mary School in Bloomington, Minn.

Kayla (Ingvalson) and Jacob Frisbie live in Waukee, Iowa. Kayla earned a master’s degree in teaching, leadership, and cultural competency from the University of Iowa and is a fifth-grade teacher for the Waukee Community Schools. Jacob earned an MS degree in biomedical science from Iowa State University and is a medical student at Des Moines University.

Harleigh Boldridge is a healthcare justice organizer at Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kylie Hanschman and Kyle Knoke live in Sun Prairie, Wis. Kylie earned an MA degree in teaching from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a practice specialist at Nordic Consulting. Kyle is an application advisor at Nordic Consulting.

Mary (Ferrel) McClelen is a registered nurse at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Greta (Schmitt) and Ethan Harris ’18 live in Wayzata, Minn. Greta is an ANICCA mental health intern for Carver County. Ethan is director of Lake State Alpine Racing. Emma Hohulin is K–12 vocal music teacher for the Kimball (Minn.) Area Public Schools. Peder Hopkins is a graduate student in global higher education and the leadership development student coordinator at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Nick Thorp is an account executive at Zubie in Minneapolis. Maria Victoria Torrillas Pizzorno is associate consultant at Green Park Executive Search in London, England. Andrea Wilson teaches special education for the Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa.

’18 Andres Alvarez-Arboleda is an energy counselor at the Center for Energy and Environment in St. Paul, Minn.

Matt Amann teaches chemistry at Andover (Minn.) High School. Christina (Van Nevel) and Jack Benson live in Roseville, Minn. Christina is a law student at the University of St. Thomas. Jack earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a transportation generalist for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Eli Bowe is AmeriCorps senior leader at the University of Montana–Montana Campus Compact in Missoula. Megan Broadbent teaches English at Monticello (Iowa) High School.

Rachel (Miller) and Josh Miller ’17 live in Rochester, Minn. Rachel is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic. Josh is a graphic designer at FastSigns. Bridget (Becker) Miner is a registered nurse for the Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colo. Bryce Pierce teaches physical education and is head football coach at Perry (Iowa) High School. Grant Preheim of Los Angeles is a regional admissions counselor for the University of Oregon. Forrest Schrader teaches special education for the Edina (Minn.) Public Schools. Samantha Tollefson is coordinator of the Political Leaders of Tomorrow Training Program at Women Winning in St. Paul, Minn.

Catelyn Janda is a general music teacher at North Shore School District in Highland Park, Ill. Lauren Knuckey is a student engagement specialist at Tennyson Center for Children in Denver. Payton Knutson teaches eighthgrade mathematics at Rosemount (Minn.) Middle School. Yuen Ching Lee is a youth leader and teacher at Dignity for Children Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia. Charles Malek is an IFP skill builder at Better Living Counseling Services in Lincoln, Neb. Chelsey Schmeling teaches vocal music at Gretna (Neb.) Elementary School. Emma Tewes teaches music for the Wayzata (Minn.) Public Schools.

’20 Ciara (Rice) Arndt is a

registered nurse in the Ischemic and Comprehensive Cardiology Services Progressive Care Unit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. John Bendt of Clam Lake, Wis., is the high school chorus instructor at Valley Community Schools. Brian Heilskov is a research and remediation associate for Wells Fargo in Ankeny, Iowa. Anna Hug is band director for grades 6–8 for the Webster City (Iowa) Community School District.

’19 Caleb Bendull is a piano

Brooke Johnson is clinical research coordinator for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Anna (Helt) Blythe teaches first grade for the Iowa City (Iowa) Community School District.

Joseph Keeley of Eden Prairie, Minn., has received a Fulbright Award and will complete an English Teaching Assistantship in South Korea.

technician at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Colin Coffey is an account executive at OutboundEngine in Austin, Texas. Martel Den Hartog is a research intern at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Elliot Douma is an instructor at School of Rock St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn.

Isaac Logeman teaches mathematics at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Shannon Lunn is a registered nurse at Allina Health United Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. Nkosi Mngomezulu is an analyst at Solutran in Minneapolis.

Sarah Eachus is a behavioral technician at Fraser Mental Health Clinic in Minneapolis.

Meghan Sickel of Lakeville, Minn., is a lab technician at the University of Minnesota.

Libby Fischer is choir director at Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville, Wis.

Robert Smedsrud is ammunition and firearms manager at Scheels in Rochester, Minn.

Marriages ’69 Ross Schipper and

’12 Allison Alpers and Nate

’91 Jeff Corbett and Heidi

Katie Johnston and Justin Schroeder, Sept. 12, 2020

’98 Marie Rausch and Martin

Dione Miller and Ben Stepanek, July 11, 2020

Soren Huber, March 19, 2020 Squires, July 25, 2020

Reinsmoen ’99, July 24, 2020

’08 Karl Amlie and AllisonSchenk, Sept. 17, 2020

Amy Stockseth and Alex Mealy, June 30, 2020

’09 Thomas Orser and Ana Falcon, Feb. 8, 2020

Ackmann, Sept. 26, 2020

Anna Murray and Kevin Garner, Aug. 15, 2020 Alexa Plass and Eldred Bach, July 5, 2019 Lindsey Weaver and Greg Shirbroun ’10, June 27, 2020

’13 Brittany Hansen and

Bryce Thomsen, Sept. 5, 2020

Elisabeth Hottel and Manny Patino, Aug. 16, 2020

Morgan Mortenson and Luke Beyer, July 25, 2020

’14 Eric Klein and Allison Van

Madeline Petellin and Tyler Hovey, Aug. 7, 2020

’15 Kat Richman and Shane

Samantha Phillips and Davi Lacerda, Dec. 27, 2019

Buren, July 8, 2020

Knipper, Oct. 24, 2020

’16 Carly Densmore and Dietrich Jessen ’15, Sept. 19, 2020 Bryn Hedlund and Jonathon Hazelwonder, July 18, 2020 Katherine Johnson and Ben Harrison, Sept. 23, 2020 Rachel Wiebke and Brian Bellrichard, Sept. 14, 2019

’17 Courtney Bruening and

Jared Blodgett, June 20, 2020 Erin Ellefsen and Andy Johnson ’15, Aug. 15, 2020

Greta Schmitt and Ethan Harris ’18, June 20, 2020

’18 Megan Broadbent and Ryan Rush, June 20, 2020

Rachel Miller and Joshua Miller ’17, May 9, 2020

’19 Abigail Korenchan and Tyler Conzett, Nov. 7, 2020

’20 Madeline Ajack and

Riley Lannon, Aug. 15, 2020 Ciara Rice and Bill Arndt, Aug. 29, 2020

Births & Adoptions

’98 Jude Clarence Michael,

’07 Maci, Dec. 2018, child

’01 Patrick

Bernadette Elene, March 2020, child of Carolyn Starz and Nathaniel Anderson

Sept. 2020, child of Amy and Joel Zylstra

Joseph, Sept. 2020, child of Sommer (Anderson) and Barry McInerney

’02 Austin Healey, April

of Jenny (Johnson) and James Laszewski

Ethan, Sept. 2019, child of Genevieve (Plagens) and Nathaniel Swanson Elliot, July 2020, child of Alyssa Wehr and James Todd

2019, child of Kiersten (Hanson) and Christer Persson

’08 Henrik, March 2020,

Charlotte, Dec. 2019, child of Mary (Wilgenbusch) and Sam Yamoah ’04

Cora, Jan. 2019, child of Molly (Singer) and Wade Elgin

child of Helga and Joey Corbin

’04 Ayla Joy, Aug. 2020,

Avalynn Fae, July 2020, child of Katie (Lane) and Kevin Utoft

’05 Julia Irene, June 2020,

of Alyson Gangstee and Andrew Herman

child of Amy Frye and Jacob Slosberg child of Jenny (Krepela) and Matthew Barnabei

Kit, July 2020, child of Laree and Russ Schouweiler

’06 Brienne Verda, July

2020, child of Emily (Anderson) and Paul Shockley Aiden Carson, Aug. 2020, child of Brie (Corfman) and Nick Taralson

’09 Aiden, Oct. 2019, child

Cora Elaine, July 2019, child of Sara (Walters) and Chris Graverson ’07 Charles Thomson, Sept. 2020, child of Elizabeth and Spencer Knapp

Roisin Mae, Sept. 2020, child of Laura (Bandfield) and Nick McGrath

Lia Karen, Aug. 2020, child of Kate (McDonald) and Sean Sutherland

Violet Caroline, Jan. 2019, child of Amanda (Lutz) and David Nickel

Tessa Ellen, July 2020, child of Kelsey (Wauters) and Charlie Swanson

Sunniva Ray, June 2019, child of Julia (Schumacher) and Jamie Utt-Schumacher

Jensen Kevin, July 2020, child of Leah (Jensen) and Mike Switer ’10

Lena, June 2020, child of Kathie (Palmersheim) and John Whitt

’12 Lydia Marie, Oct. 2019,

’10 Remy Jacob, Sept. 2020, child of Cassie (Tysland) and Jacob Fouts ’12

Owen, March 2020, child of Michelle (Gohman) and Koby Lursen Taylor Rose, Sept.2020, child of Kelsie (Allen) and Mark Mateski Aidan, Oct. 2020, child of Laurel (Whitis) and Matthew Mueller

’11 Benjamin, Aug. 2020, child of Sarah (Krog) and Shawn Schmitt

Reagan Grace, July 2020, child of Kelsey (Leppert) and Kody Sjoblom

child of Abby (Switzer) and Chris Reynolds

Miles Matthew, Sept. 2020, child of Haylie (Fercho) and Matthew Schmit

’13 Owen, March 2020, child

of Michelle (Gohman) and Koby Lursen

’14 Maya, Oct. 2020, child of Anna (Arbisi) and Paul McKay ’15

’16 Jack Michael, Aug. 2019, child of Laura (Boran) and Andrew Storlie

’17 Benjamin David, June

2020, child of Samantha (Phillips) and Davi Lacerda

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MAGAZINE

In Memoriam

’58 Marlene (Winnes) Nelson

’68 Pamela “Pam” A. (Lok-

Janelle Joan (Johnson) Nevermann of Mason City, died Aug. 11, 2020, age 84.

Dona Dian (Niswander) Willemsen of International Falls, Minn., died Sept. 22, 2020, age 73.

FACULTY/STAFF EMERITI

’59 Gary Vernett Embretson

’69 Joan Kay Heinmiller of

Martha Raimer (Smith) Olson of Minneapolis, died Nov. 2, 2020, age 84.

’70 Dennis E. Dabroski, of

Notices as of Dec. 4, 2020. Obituaries at luther.edu/in-memoriam.

Werner Richard Nitschke of Decorah died Sept. 3, 2020, age 86. George Norman Trytten ’51 of Boise, Idaho, died Oct. 18, 2020, age 92. Curtis Reiso ’54 of Decorah died Aug. 20, 2020, age 88.

REGENT EMERITA Shirley Ann (Klingsheim) Bentdahl ’59 of Edina, Minn., and Scottsdale, Ariz., died Aug. 21, 2020, age 83.

’42 Dorrit Elizabeth “Dorrey”

(Dale) Grina of Charlottesville, Va., died Sept. 10, 2020, age 100. Harriet Cleone (Aspenson) Norland of Richmond, Ky., died Dec. 16, 2019, age 100.

’45 Constance “Connie” (Hexom) Bolson of Decorah died Aug. 22, 2020, age 96. Doris “Dorrie” (Larson) Walen of Alamo, N.D., died Oct. 3, 2020, age 97.

’48 Eleanor “Sylvia” (Bars-

ness) Fuller of Canadian Lakes, Mich., died Aug. 9, 2020, age 92.

’49 Ralph W. Colrud of Sun City West, Ariz., died Nov. 27, 2020, age 93.

Harriet (Flatland) Danielson of St. Augustine, Fla., died Nov. 15, 2020, age 93. Lavern Elvin Hillesland of Mt. Horeb, Wis., formerly of Stewartville, Minn., and Decorah died Oct. 29, 2020, age 94. Margaret Ann (Olson) Winch of La Crosse, Wis., died Sept., 24, 2020, age 93.

’50 Bergetta E. (Dahl) Gunderson of Winona, Minn., died Sept. 17, 2020, age 92.

Lois G. (Peterson) Leum of Rockford, Ill., died Sept. 21, 2019, age 90. WINTER 2021

32

Carl Preus Teisberg of Bloomington, Minn., died Oct. 28, 2020, age 94.

’51 Leonard Arvin Dalen of

Hutchinson, Minn., died Oct. 3, 2020, age 95. Dean Hartley Gesme Sr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Oct. 9, 2020, age 91. Philip D. “Phil” Hellestad of Plymouth, Wis., died Nov. 5, 2020, age 90. Ted R. Thompson of Faribault, Minn., died Sept. 23, 2020, age 91.

’52 Francis M. Johnson of

Albert Lea, Minn., died Aug. 22, 2020, age 92. Dolores Elizabeth (Willard) Knutson of Burnsville, Minn., formerly of Edina, Minn., died Oct. 28, 2020, age 89. LeRoy “Lee” Truman Storby of Waseca, Minn., died June 20, 2020, age 92.

’53 Ramona Dawn (Egner)

Johnson of Madison, Wis., died Sept. 18, 2020, age 90.

’55 Ronald LaVern Larson

of Rice Lake, Wis., died Oct. 31, 2020, age 90. Richard S. “Dick” Lund of Estherville, Iowa, died Nov. 23, 2020, age 91. John “Jack” David Meyer of La Crosse, Wis., died Oct. 20, 2020, age 88. Ramona J. (Lund) Ramsey of Albert Lea, Minn., died Sept. 5, 2020, age 89. Phyllis (Hauan) Underdahl of Ironton, Minn., died July 10, 2020, age 88.

’56 Terence Erling Fretheim of Park Ridge, Ill., died Nov.16, 2020, age 84.

’57 Alan John Hagen of Waverly, Iowa, died Sept. 21, 2020, age 85.

Dean Ray Tollefson of Edina, Minn., died Oct. 20, 2020, age 85.

of Randolph, Wis. died Dec. 2, 2020, age 84

of Apple Valley, Minn., died Sept. 18, 2020, age 83.

Vernon A. Olson of La Crosse, Wis., died Nov. 26, 2020, age 83. George W. Running of Dubuque, Iowa, died Nov. 2, 2020, age 83.

’60 Philip Craig Schansberg of Delano, Minn., died July 21, 2020, age 82.

’61 Sandra Jean (Sundberg)

Bergman of Waverly, Iowa, died Oct. 19, 2020, age 80. Rodney G. Hatle of Owatonna, Minn., died Sept. 28, 2020, age 85.

’62 William E. Davis III of

Winona, Minn., died Nov. 2, 2020, age 80. Michael Dean Dotseth of Waverly, Iowa, died Nov. 17, 2020, age 83.

’63 Virginia (Schindler)

ken) Oman of Hudson, Wis., died Nov. 4, 2020, age 74.

Spokane, Wash., died April 5, 2020, age 72.

Gainesville, Fla., formerly of Earlville, Iowa, died Sept. 5, 2020, age 72.

’71 Thomas E. Berkland of

Omaha, Neb., died Aug. 13, 2020, age 71. Todd M. Ruedisili of Jupiter, Fla., and Nisswa, Minn., died Oct. 21, 2020, age 74.

’73 Marc John Dettmann of

Charlottesville, Va., died Oct. 21, 2020, age 69.

’77 Ann (Althoff) Gallagher of Waukon, Iowa, formerly of Lansing, Iowa, died Oct. 20, 2020, age 70.

’78

Michael George Carlson of San Diego, Calif., died Oct. 12, 2020, age 64. Doreen (Volz) Dalman of Bayfield, Wis., died Aug. 1, 2020, age 64.

Bergerson of Burnsville, Minn., formerly of Bloomington, Minn., died April 2, 2020, age 78.

David Vaughn Escher of Mason City, Iowa, died Nov. 18, 2020, age 64.

Carolyn M. (Elias) Brown of Westland, Mich., died Sept. 17, 2020, age 80.

’79 David L. Olson of Win-

Keith M. Johnson of Tucson, Ariz., died July 19, 2020, age 78.

’64 Joseph Adams Boden-

steiner of Rhinelander, Wis., died Nov. 25, 2020, age 78.

’65 Berne Jon Hanford of Paris, Ky., died July 14, 2020, age 77.

’67 Marilyn Sylvia (Erickson) Canady of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Nov. 16, 2020, age 76.

Ann-Louise (Johnson) Ferguson of Minocqua, Wis., died Sept. 28, 2020, age 75. John Bjorn Nystrom of Spirit Lake, Iowa, died Aug. 5, 2020, age 75. Jean Louise Shank of Hopkins, Minn., died Sept. 19, 2020, age 75.

ston-Salem, N.C., died May 22, 2020, age 63.

’82 Steve Schmidt of Cedar

Rapids, Iowa, died Aug. 31, 2020, age 60.

’85 Eric “Rick” Charles

Snyder of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Sept. 10, 2020, age 58.

’90 Richelle Lea Halverson

of Decorah died Sept. 10, 2020, age 52.

’05 Adrian Lewis Hanson

of Madison, Wis., died Sept. 3, 2020, age 37.

’12 Leta Louise (Oelrich)

Schroeder of Panora, Iowa, died July 29, 2020, age 31.

We’re lucky to have a Luther community that spans more than 35,000 alumni living from Connecticut to California, Malta to Malaysia, and Norway to Namibia. Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, we want to keep connected. Here are a few ways. F O L L O W U S O N FA C E B O O K facebook.com/luthercollegealumni

S U B S C R I B E T O T H E M O N T H LY N O R S E N OT E S E - N E W S L E T T E R by emailing alumni@luther.edu

U P D AT E Y O U R I N F O R M AT I O N A N D S H A R E Y O U R N E W S luther.edu/alumni/update

REFER A FUTURE NORSE Help us recruit Luther’s next generation. Each student you refer receives a $1,000 scholarship (in your name!) each year, for four years, when they enroll at Luther. luther.edu/ambassadors

PA I D E I A I I I — V I R T U A L A L U M N I B O O K C L U B S luther.edu/alumni/events/book-club

ALUMNI VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, for a talk by Jonathan Temte ’80, a key player in nationwide vaccine policy with a passion for connecting medical research with community needs. His presentation will focus on the COVID-19 vaccines, distribution, and herd immunity. luther.edu/alumni/events/speakers

ONLINE CHAPEL A chance to reflect, explore, and connect Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:30–10:50 a.m. Watch archived chapel speakers too. luther.edu/ministries/worship/chapel

D O W N LOA D A LU T H E R V I RT UA L B AC KG R O U N D luthercollege.photoshelter.com/galleries

NOW STREAMING Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Nordic Choir, and Symphony Orchestra albums

G I V I N G D AY 2 0 2 1 Join the entire Luther community for #luthergives on Thursday, March 11, and help us reach our goal of one million dollars. Go Big and Go Gnome! luther.edu/giving-day

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT NO. 148

LUTHER COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE DRIVE DECORAH, IOWA 52101-1045

#LUTHERGIVES

March 11 THURSDAY

luther.edu/giving-day